UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20930, 21 July 1931, Page 11

UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM.

WOMEN IN AUCKLAND.

URGENT NEED FOR FUNDS.

POOR RESPONSE TO APPEAL.

"All those concerned with the Auckland Women's Unemployed Emergency Committee are extremely disappointed at the poor response to the appeal for funds," said the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, yesterday. "We have found that it will be quite impossible to carry on the work centre with the limited funds available. We have been fortunate in having the Joan of plant for sewing and cooking, and it was intended to provide lunch for those who worked at the centre, but we cannot proceed with an empty purse. Many people take the view that they should not contribute because they have to pay the unemployment tax, but we must have money, if it is only for a week or two until the new board is set up."

Mr. Hutchison recently wrote to the Minister of Labour, the Hon. S. G. Smith, asking for a grant for the relief of unemployed women in Auckland, and urging that serious consideration be given to the question of removing the restrictions at present imposed as to the works on which unemployed men may be engaged by local bodies. In reply, the Minister stated that these matters would bo considered by the Unemployment Board to be set up under the amending Act. He stated further that it was impossible to make a grant for women from the limited funds at present availablo. The position might be different when the finances provided for under the new Act became available.

The following message has since beeu forwarded by Mr. Hutchison to the Minister: —"I understand substantial unemployment funds will be available on August 1. Is it intended to devote a portion to unemployed women, and will the Unemployment Board utilise the organisation described in my letter ? Please advise what means are proposed of affording help to Auckland unemployed women." Weeks had elapsed since the Auckland organisation to help unemployed women had been set up, said Mr. Hutchison, yet the position was becoming more acute daily. He suggested that as soon as the new board is appointed an advance should be made from its funds for the relief of women. COMMITTEE AT OTAHUHU.

RESUMPTION OF ACTIVITIES.

The majority of the members of the former Otahuhu Unemployment Committee have agreed to serve again in the administration of relief schemes. _ In response to a request from the chairman of the Unemployment * Board, the Hon. S. G. Smith, to consider ended the differences of opinion which resulted in the committee resigning on April 21 the Mayor of Otahuhu, Mr. H. T. Clements, circularised all members asking if they would agree to resume activities as, and when, the board brought down schemes calling for the co-operation of committees. The Mayor has now replied to the Minister intimating the committee will resume its functions.

PROVISION AT TAKAPtTNA. PRESENT NUMBER TO REMAIN. Instead of reducing the number of men employed on relief works in the borough under the No. 5 scheme to 100, as previously intended, the Takapuna Borough Council, at a special meeting last evening,' decided to make the maximum number the present total of 240. Single men are now also eligible for -employment under certain condtiions. A motion rescinding the former resolution was carried last evening- and another one substituted. A clause in the new resolution provides that to be eligible men must have resided in the borough for at least three months. Preference must be given first to any ratepayer, secondly to married men not ratepayers, and then to single men. In each case the number of dependants. will" be taken into consideration. The need to limit" the number of men was stressed by ihe Mayor, Mr. J. Guiniven, who said that any further inroads on the council's finances would be disastrous.

The Mayor syid he considered it was implied in the resolution that if a married man sought relief work when the maximum number had been reached then a single man would have to be displaced. This was generally considered to he reasonable, and the engineer, Mr. .T. D. Bodle, was instructed to act accordingly.