WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17776, 9 May 1921, Page 4

WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED

DECISION OF GOVERNMENT.

STATE BUILDING OPERATIONS

CURTAILMENT DECIDED UPON. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Sunda7. The Acting-Prime Minister, Sir Francis Bell, stated on Saturday that the Cabinet had arrived at a general understanding that the Government's building operations, must be rigidly curtailed, in grder that more money might be available* for the employment of general labour- This understanding had been reached in view of the probability that there would be some increase in unemployment, and of the scarcity of money available for public works expenditure.

It is understood that this decision will involve some curtailment of the operations of the housing department. The opinion of Ministers is that the available money ought to be spent in the directions where it will give a maximum of employment under the general scheme that has been devised for meeting the unemployment problem. The unemployment scheme, including the camps already mentioned, is ready to be brought into operation when, in the ornnion of the Government, it is required. The official reports do not disclose any large amount of unemployment in any centre at present, and Ministers are unwilling to create an impression that men in need of work should turn at once to the Government without exhausting other avenues. The work provided by the Government ie to be the last resource.

MEN ON PUBLIC WORKS. REDUCTION OF 267 IN MARCH. The return of mcr. employed by the Department of Public Works during March shows a total of 5249, against 5516 in February, a reduction of 267. The number employed on railway construction in March was 2127, a reduction of 53 on the number in February. There were reducuons by 162 to 1761 on roads, by 4 to 403 on hydro-electric works, and by 48 to 958 on public buildings and other works

EFFECT FELT AT ROTORUA. POSTPONEMENT OF BUILDING. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN" CORRESPONDENT.} ROTORUA, Saturday. On account of unemployment and the financial stringency and the consequent decision of the Government to stop all buildings except those for which contracts have been let, and which are absolutely necessary, the erection of a new blue bath (swimming bath) and other projected works at Rotorua has been postponed indefinitely.

UNEMPLOYMENT IN COUNTRY

MEN DRIFTING TO CITY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Sunday.

Reports received indicate that a fairly large number of men are coming into the city from the country districts seeking, but failing, to secure employment. It is stated that farmers are cutting down the number of their hands and reducing wages. A number of men who have left their employment in consequence of the reduction are swelling the ranks of those idle.