WHANGAREI'S UNEMPLOYED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21049, 7 December 1931, Page 5

WHANGAREI'S UNEMPLOYED

CONCERN FOR MARRIED MEN. LESS RELIEF WORK AVAILABLE. [FROM OUR OWN' CORRESPONDENT.] "WHANG AREI, Saturday. A deputation from the unemployed of Whangarei, comprising Messrs. J. H. Brown and A. J. Magee, the latter being president of the district council of the Alliance of Labour, waited on Mr. A. J. Murdoch, M.P., at Whangarei to-day and informed him that the unemployed in the district had had their relief work reduced by one day a week. It was stated that it was impossible for married men now even to pay rent. A number of married men with children were earning only £2 16s 3d a month. Mr. T. Mitchell, president of the W hangarei Chamber of Commerce, \\ho \\<is present by invitation, stated that the chamber was most sympathetic and had been instrumental in forming the citizens relief committee. He did not know, however, how the chamber could intervene, but it would be pleased to lend assistance to any beneficial local movement. Mr.' H. W. Crawford, a member of the chamber, said production from the land must be increased and to do that, it was necessary for the unemployed to offer their services for that work. Mr. Crawford suggested to Mr. that a number of railway huts now ljing idlo at Tangowahine could quite conveniently be put on the land and provide accommodation for married people. In reply to the deputation, Mr. -Murdoch said" it was very difficult to give a statement at the moment. A few cays ago ho had sent a telegram to the Commissioner of "L-nemploymeni> with leterence to an increase in the allocation, but had received a disappointing reply. Mr. Murdoch assured the deputation, however, that lie would place the position before the Minister of Unemployment, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, in Wellington on Tuesday. "There is also a scheme for considerable reclamation work in this district and that is being favourably received in Wellington," said Mr. Murdoch. "I hope that will be the means of absorbing a large number of the unemployed. Mr. Murdoch was accorded a vote of thanks by the.deputation.