REQUEST FOR WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20074, 11 October 1928, Page 14

REQUEST FOR WORK.

DEPUTATION TO MAYOR. WESTERN SPRINGS AREA. THIRTY MEN TO BE PLACED. That unemployed relief work, absorbing 30 men, would be commenced at Western Springs within a few days was announced by (lie Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, to a deputation from the city's unemployed which waited upon him yesterday. Mr. Baildon also said 'he Government had made arrangements for the placing of an additional 100 men in the district.

About 100 unemployed men assembled at St. Matthew's Hall in the morning and the position of affairs was discussed. Mr. H. C. MeCready presided. A committee of seven men was appointed to meet the Mayor. The committee has announced its intention of interviewing all local bodies m order to ascertain what work is available.

Addressing the Mayor Mr. MeCready said matters had come to a state when action was most necessary. He asked whether the Western Springs work could bo opened up and whether the City Conn cil could see its way to place two extra men in each of its departments. Men would he glad to receive only two days' work a week. " Wo are all up against it," said another speaker. " There are approximately 900 men in the city out of'work and tho wives and children are feeling tho pinch." The point that a definite answer was wanted by the deputation was made clear by further speakers. Mr. Armstrong said it was not fair to ask a married man to go out into the conntry and work for 12s a day when such meagre facilities were provided. "Things are getting very desperate hero now," said Mr. Armstrong. " The men are becoming tired of the business and if there is no improvement some drastic step may be taken." Replying to tho deputation, Mr. Baildon said he was sorry to hear the suggestion made of drastic action and he trusted the remark was not made seriously. The City Council was doing all that it possibly could but it necessarily had its limits. However, he was able to state that 30 men could bo placed on work at Western Springs within a few days as £IOOO was available. The council was at present negotiating with the Government for a loan of £20.000. to be spent on relief works, but that amount would probably be cut down somewhat. Mr. Baildon said he had interviewed the Prime Minister, Mr. Coatcs, when in Wellington and he had now received a reply as to tho possibilities of absorbing more men. Arrangements had been made by the Government for the placing of an additional 100 men on relief work, and if conditions did not improve then another 100 men would bo placed probably at Taumarunui.

Referring to the suggestion of placing extra men in tlie council departments Mr. Baildon said every department was at present fully staffed. Tn fact men were, being kept on wlien not absolutely necessary, in order that the position would not be made worse.

Mr. Baildon added that if everything went happily with the Transport Board Art. and the board was formed it was estimated work would be provided for an additional 300 men. However, he could give no definite assuranco on this as everything was " in the air." Mr. E. J. Phelan, who sponsored the deputation, urged Mr. Baildon to make continued representations to the Government for further help. The position was most desperate and lie could vouch for it that there were 2000 men unemployed in Auckland.