WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20760, 31 December 1930, Page 12

WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED.

NEW SCHEMES ADOPTED.

FUND NEARLY EXHAUSTED

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN URGED,

Proposals for co-operation between the unemployed of the city and the unemployment relief committee were discussed yesterday afternoon, when a deputation from tho unemployed attended a meeting of the. committee. The deputation reported that the unemployed had formed themselves into an organisation with a committee which would act on their behalf in representing any matters they desired to bring under tho notice of the Government or the Unemployment Board. This committee would from time to time submit proposals for dealing with unemployment. problems. One suggestion adopted at yesterday's meeting was that a number of men should be employed gathering grass seed, which was reported to be plentiful on roadsides and properties in the Auckland area. The committee gave authority for 100 men to be organised into parties for this work, which it was estimated should be carried out at a profit to tho committee. Sir George Richardson, the chairman of tho committee, staled at tho close of the meeting that the co-operation of people who had areas carrying cocksfoot, paspalum and other grasses would be necessary for the success of the scheme and for that reason the committee hoped that such persons would communicate with the labour bureau and offer nil (he assistance they could.

Terms of Payment

Conditions wore agreed to under which the men will gather grass seed. They, are to bo guaranteed 7s a day and the grass seed produced will bo sold on their behalf. If the result is sufficient to give each man a further 7s a day litis amount will bo paid, thus bringing the wages to 14s. If, however, the result is less, the men will sharo tho money available, but in tho event of the return providing more than tho additional 7s a man the balaneo will be paid into the relief committee's funds for the assistance of others.

The committee decided to appoint four men from among tho unemployed to act as canvassers to interest tho public in the working of tho No. 2 scheme, by which private individuals may get work dono at the rate of 7s a day, the committee subsidising this amount with another 7s to bring tho payment to tho' men engaged up to tho 14s fixed by the Unemployment Board. It was reportod tli.it only about £6OO had been expended out of the £IBOO provided for this purpose, and, as-it was thought that tho public had not understood the arrangement, it was decided to send out four specially selected men who would carry tho authority of the relief committoo and whoso duty it would be to obtain the co-operation of tho public in providing work.

Use ol Special Fund,

An important matter discussed by the committeo was tho unsatisfactory accommodation provided at tho labour bureau for the handling of the large numbers of men reporting each day. It was decided to bring this lack of proper quarters under the notice of tho Government forthwith, and it wns also decided to suggest that the drill hall in Rutland Street, which is not required between 8 a.m. arid 4 p.m., should be mado available to tho Labour Department. Up to the present about 1800 men havo been assisted from the special Christmas fund of £2400 provided by the Unemployment Board, and it is expected tho balance of this money will bo used this week. Yesterday tho 100 men who were engaged to clear weeds and other growth from the railway tracks commenced operations and they will do their second day's work to-day. A further 100 mon havo been engaged for similar work on Friday and Saturday of this week. In addition to this, 60 men wore placed with various local bodies. These men were at work yesterday and will bo employed again to-day. In summing up tho position yesterday Sir George Richardson said the committee felt it was only dealing with palliatives. At tho moment tho committee could not see very much better prospects for tho early new year and it was felt that the sooner the Government or sorno other body devised and introduced a comprehensive scheme capablo of absorbing a large number of men on reproductive works tho better for all concerned.