MARCH OF UNEMPLOYED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19321, 7 May 1926, Page 15

MARCH OF UNEMPLOYED.

AUCKLAND DEMONSTRATION. DEPUTATION TO TOWN HALL. CONSIDERATION NEXT WEEK. A procession of unemployed workers headed by a placard bearing the words "We Want Work —Not Charity," marched from the civic square site to the Town Hall at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when a deputation representative of the unemployed of Auckland requested an interview with the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon. A preliminary meeting was held in the civic square, when about 100 persons were addressed by Messrs. J. H. Edwards and W. Murray. It. was announced that the Mayor had declined to receive a deputation, on the grounds of stress of business. The gathering thereupon passed the following resolution: "That this mas meeting of unemployed and citizens of Auckland considers it the duty of the Mayor to meet a deputation of the unemployed and bearing in mind the urgency of the situation calls upon the Mayor to fulfil that duty at once and assist in finding a solution of the problem." A deputation of four was then selected. The men then formed up four deep and, headed by the official delegates, marched in orderly fashion up Queen ijfcreet to the Town Hall, where they laid their caso before tho Works Committee, then in session. They were informed that sympathetic consideration would bo given the matter at a meeting of the committee of the whole council to be held next Thursday. The men then returned to the civic square, where the deputation announced the result of its interview and the meeting disbanded. Efforts to arrange a similar demonstration in the morning were not so successful. An attempt to organise a procession from among a number of men waiting outside the Labour Department's office in Fort Street met with little response, only about 50 volunteering to fall in. Several of the unemployed referred to the' hardships they had undergone and said the matter was now serious.

A meeting of Auckland's unemployed was held in the Trades Hall last evening. Speakers stressed the widespread unemployment and consequent distress that were stated to exist in Auckland. A- strong committee was set up, and it was decided to compile complete statistics of all persons out of employment, to ask for the co-operation and assistance of all organised trade unions, and to pursue a vigorous campaign of agitation and demonstrations until relief is given. It was decided to ask all members of Parliament to telegraph the Prime Minister asking him to take the necessary steps to relieve the position. CITY C GUI?OIL'S POSITION. NO UNEMPLOYMENT FUND. In connection with the unemployment question it was explained hv Mr. J. Dempsey, chairman of the Works Committee of the City Council, that the council was faced every winter with the problem of keeping all its gangs at work. Although at a financial disadvantage it endeavoured to keep its gangs fully employed rather than contribute- to the seasonal unemployment. But it should be remembered that activities were practically controlled by loan advances, and the council was accountable to the ratepayers for its expenditure. Resources were limited, and it was necessary to keep within those limits. There was no special fund upon which the council could draw for the relief of unemployment.. That was a disadvantage which would be readily understood. Even now the engineer had reported that owing to the recent bad weather he was hard pressed to keep his gangs fully employed. The deputation which presented itself in the afternoon had complained of the Government's immigration policy, but it had been pointed out that the responsibility was not n council one but a national one, and they had been advised to approach the Government on the matter. When asked about the unemployment roll at the Government bureau the deputation had said that only about 250 names were listed, whereas the unemployed of Auckland numbered between 400 an.fl 500. The obvious course to adopt was for all the unemployed to enrol and thus show the Government the true position. The matter would be discussed by the committee of the whole council next Thursday.