AUCKLAND UNEMPLOYED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17780, 13 May 1921, Page 6

AUCKLAND UNEMPLOYED

LIST STILL INCREASING.

POSITION OF DEPARTMENT

INSTRUCTIONS BY MINISTER.

Twenty names were placed on the Auckland Labour Department's list of unemployed yesterday, making 100 applicants in three days. Work was found for one man yesterday, but a large number of inquirers had to be turned away, Most of the applicants are unskilled labourers, and very little suitable work is offering for them. The department now requires work for about 220 men.

A list of unemployed being compiled at the Trades Hall now contains 580 names. Of these 20 registered yesterday.

The following telegram was yesterday sent to the Minister for Labour, the Hon". G. J. Anderson, by Messrs. M. J. Savage, W. E. 'Parry, ana F. iiartram, M.P. s:— " 370 unemployed enrolled at Trades -Hall to date. A large number are married men who are absolute.y penniless. What does the Government propose to do ? Ablebodied men are still enrolling." A reply was received from the Minister stating that all unemployed must register their names with the Labour Department of the town in which they reside. After enrolment, the Labour officer would classify the men with the section of work suit able to their physique. He would then hand the lists to the Public Works Department, which would find work for as many as possible. The Minister added that no notice would be taken of any unemployed other than those registered with the department. This was necessary to enable the Government to carry out its organisation for the relief of the unemployed. Commenting on the position, Mr. Savage said that many more men had registered on tho Trades Hall list than with the Labour Department. Possibly all the inquirers at the department's office had not been instructed 'o register there. He emphasised that according to the instructions of the Minister for Labour, registration at the department's office was necessary before the workers could have a chance of getting employment from the Government .

The question of unemployment has been considered by the Labour" Representation Committee, which decided to call a meet ing of prominent members of industrial unions with the object of formulating proposals on the subject The proposals will be submitted to a general meeting of unions, and if approved, will be forwarded to the Government.

Tlio Repatriation Department's list of returned men who are seeking work is not increasing. Usua'ly there are between 80 and 90 men seeking employment, and, as work is found for some, other applications keep coming to hand. The officials of the department state that no increased difficulties have been met with, recently in regard to finding employment for returned men.

There. is still a litt'e inquiry at, the office of the Farmers' Union for suitable country labour. The provincial secretary of the union, Mr. W. Huey. stated yesterday that he had just received notice of a vacancy for a man. Two men had been sent to positions" on the previous day, and a married coup'e were go'ug to a place in the country to-day. He added that the list of vacancies compiled by the union hpd been fTled. and only occasional applications for men were expected' during the next month or two. The seasonal demand for dairy farm workers would compience about the end of July. The majority of those who sou eh t work in the country were recent arrivals from Britain, but a number of New Zealanders had also been placed in work.

SAFEGITAEDING THE EX-SOLDIER.

HON. J. G. COATES' POLICY.

[BY TELEGBAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.] GISBOKNE. Thursday. While being entertained at the Soldiers' Club the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister for Public Works, referring to the question of unemployment, stated that throughout the departments controlled by him a ukase had gone forth that exservice men and married men must have preference in employment, and that no returned soldiers must be dismissed. They had first claim on the Government when times became hard, and he personally would da his best to see that they got first consideration.

POSITION IN WANGANTJI EISTEICT.

WATERSIDERS INCREASING. [BY TELEGBAPH.—OWN CORRESFON-DENT.]

WANGANTJI. Thursday.

There appears to be in the district an increasing number of unemployed, although the position is not yet acute. Applications to join the Waterside Workers' Union are frequent, and the number of men on the wharf seeking work 'has been greatly augmented. From ICO to 110 was the regular number, but now there are from 150 to 160 locking for a job on the waterfront. Mr. W. A. Veitch, M.P.. who has just returned from a visit to Taihape, states that conditions along the Main Trunk are rather bad. A good many men had been put off work, and there was a danger that a number of sawmill employees would be put off.