PROVIDING EXTRA WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20087, 26 October 1928, Page 12

PROVIDING EXTRA WORK

APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC.

JOBS FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.

APPROACHING LOCAL BODIES.

As a measure of relief to the. unemployment position in the city a Chamber o! Commerce deputation, headed by the president, Mr. H. T. Merrill, waited on the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon. yesterday, with a suggestion that he should appeal to the public to antedate various works usually undertaken about this time of the year.

The painting of houses, business "spring cleaning," gardening and kindred jobs wore suggested as works which, as tho result of concerted action, might give employment to a large number of men during the next few weeks. The co-operation of local authorities was also sought in pushing forward any works they might be contemplating, and especially were such authorities urged to do what, they could to bring to early finality any negotiations they might have in hand with the Main Highways Board for capital and other works. Mr. Merritt said he understood the board had ample funds in hand and was only awaiting the completion of plans and the finalising of negotiations with local authontcs.

It was urged that employment so provided should ho available only through the Labour Department's bureaux. Special consideration should be given to the cases of the work]ess who reside at a considerable distance from a bureau, and who could not afford transport there in order to renew their applications and so preserve their names on the unemployed list when the department made its periodical purgings.

In expressing sympathy with the suggestions Mr. Baildon promised to make an appeal to private citizens and business firms to expedite contemplated works on the lines proposed. He entirely agreed that tho scheme should be worked through the Government bureaux, with which he would invite citizens with work to offer to communicate in order that men on tho waiting list might have every opportunity to find employment.