MR. FOR SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18051, 28 March 1922, Page 6

MR. FOR SOLDIERS.

GOVERNMENT AID SOUGHT.

MB. MABSEY SYMPATHETIC.

PBOPOSID TREE-PLANTING.

EMPLOYMENT IN DISTRICT.

Unemployment among returned soldiers Was the subject of an interview between the executive of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association and Mr., Maesey yesterday. The president of the association, Mr. E. W. Inder, said there were now- 600 men in Auckland out of work.

Mr. Massey: In Auckland City or the whole of the province! Mr. Inder : In the city. W« Can give you the A B.C. of tho position. Continuing, he said the association had kept a register containing the names, addresses acd occupations of tho men now seeking work, and also their service numbers and their occupations prior to going to the war, as well as the work they had done op to the time they were thrown idle, Mr. Inder said the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. J. H. Gunson, and the City Council and the Harbour Board had done more than they anticipated to provide work for these men, many of whom had families depending upon them. They could not create works now other than thc.so in hand at present. As the result of a conferenae, the association had telegraphed to the Prime Minister asking that an immediate start be made with the Arapuni hydro-e'ectrio works, and thai as many of the returned soldier unemployed as were suitable for this work should be engaged. "The reply you sent," said Mr. Inder, "wag to the effect that the Government would not be in a position to start this work for about 18 months."

Work for 100 Ken Immediately.

Mr. Massey: I don't know exactly the wording of the telegram, but I think it was to the effect that we were not ready to start this work right away, but that employment would bo found for 100 men straight avay. Mr. Inder: Our secretary, Mr. G. Elliot, has interviewed the local Public Works engineer, who has agreed to take on 40 men xhjw. he has not heard from you since you telegraphed to us.

Mr, Massey: I made arrangements to meet the Minister for Public Works on Saturday afternoon, but he could not get back to Wellington from the South in time. That to a certain extent accounts for the hitch. Mr. Inder said the Public Works Department was prepared to put men on relief work* at from 10s to 12s a day. Mr. Massey: We contemplate providing works in th« Auckland district to absorb a certain number of men and that will bo fairly convenient to the city, but that does not, mean that the men employed will be able to live at home; they will have to camp. Mr. Ind<w said the deputation did not ask for work for these men close to their homes. All that it wanted was that work should be found for the men, who, it was stated, were on the verge of starvation. Mr. Maosey said he did not pretend to be well up in the business of the Public Works Department, but he knew that the Government bad in mind certain works which would be gone on with. The department, he said, was employulg 6000 men at pick-and-shovel work. Mr. T, Long said the Returned Soldiers' Association had arranged a " Poppy Day," for the purpose of raising money to provide work lor unemployed soldiers. The idea was that the association should do he duty by its members. It could then expect "the other members of the community to do their duty in this period of stress snd unemployment It was hoped to raise £10,000 by this scheme. " I put it to you," said Mr. Long, "that you will consider the possibility of subsidising the result of the ' Poppy Day' effort either £ for £ or 10s in the £ for tie relief of unemployment" The Prime Minister's Reply.

Mr. Massey said this was a nutter that wotiid have to be considered by Cabinet as it concerned the expenditure of public money. "So far as Poppy Day goes," said Mr. Massey, " Til give yon £1 In for the first one that comes along. That is not much, but it will help a little. The other matter is one for Cabinet. I won't tnrn you down." With regard to unemployment Mr. Massey said that if the country got through thta winter without Tery much hardship, he did not think there would be much difficulty afterwards. Even this winter, he said, it wag hoped it would not be severe. It was proposed to create work for the unemployed, which would be reproductive. He referred to the matter of tree planting There was a great deal more to oe done in this direction in this country than had ever been done hitherto. There were many large areas, such as sand dunes, that could be Planted with pines, which would ultimately e of great value to the country. Mr. Inder said the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association and the Waikato Association jointly had 70 acres of land at Orua Bay. The local association was endeavouring lo purchase the Waikato Association's Interest in this area, and if successful it purposed spending some of its funds in tree planting on it. This would give employment to a number of returned men. He asked if the Forestry Department would be prepared to donate a number of trees free.

Mr. Massey said he would make inquiries and vlvise the association. He ■was prepared to assist them in every way possible. He had visited a number of returned men who were fanning, and though they were suffering from the prevailing depression they were showing a splendid spirit, and be was satisfied they would win through.