UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19567, 21 February 1927, Page 14

UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM.

POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH. DEMONSTRATION ABANDONED. [BY TELEGRArH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. Representatives of the unemployed, after a talk with Mr. C. P. Agar, president of the Chamber of Commerce, yesterday gave an assurance that they would use their influence with the men to prevent a demonstration taking place when the Duke and Duchess of York visit Christchurch. Mr. Agar's argument that the men had nothing to gain and everything to loso by such a demonstration at length prevailed. He remarked to the unemployed leaders that such demonstrations would not help them or influence those who were apathetic toward unemployed, and would probably antagonise those who were at present willing to help. The question of work for the unemployed will be dealt with this week at a conference to be convened by tho Mayor. DISCUSSION IN DUNEDIIT. A " DEPRESSING " OUTLOOK. [by telegraph.—own cor respondent. ] DUNEDIN. Saturday. The outlook m the unemployment situation in Dunedin is more unfavourable than it lias been at this time of the year for years past. Last year 40 men were registered at the period corresponding to the present time as being out of work, but on the Labour Department's unemployment register to-day 220 names appeared. Of this number* 150 are unskilled labourers, but it also includes eight motor drivers, five engineers, four electricians, and four clerks. A few men have been placed in work, but with the exception of two or three farm jobs there is nothing offering. There has'been but demand for harvesters, and unless relief works _are commenced there seems little hope of the position being relieved in any substantial way. • A Labour Department official said today that though no cases of acute distress had come under his notice, many of the men—some of them with large families—were truly "up against if." The prospects for the winter, he added, were most depressing. CONDITIONS IN WELLINGTON. "MORE ACUTE THAN USUAL." [by telegraph.—own correspondent.) WELLINGTON. Sunday. The Mayor stated yesterday that unemployment was certainly more acute in Wellington than usual, "and he said hewas conferring with his stall to see what work could be found for some of them in and around the city.