DOMINION UNEMPLOYED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21404, 31 January 1933, Page 11

DOMINION UNEMPLOYED

DECREASE OF 1416 SHOWN

TOTAL STILL OVER 67,800

COMMENT BY MINISTER

[by telegraph—special reported]

WELLINGTON. Monday

The total number registered as unemployed in New Zealand at January 21 was 67,865, a decrease of 1416, compared with the figures a month previously, according to a return issued to-day by the Unemployment Board. Of the tot.il 6272 were ineligible for relief work for various reasons, leaving 61,593 men a charge on the board's funds. It was estimated that at least 30,000 were engaged in work of a definitely reproductive and developmental nature in connection with the Dominion's primary industries.

Details of the total number of men who were in one way or another a charge on tho fund are as follows, corresponding figures for the previous month being given for purposes of comparison:— Jan. 21 Dec. 24 No. 5 scheme .. 40,431 47,425 Farm schemes . • 8,342 9,209 Camps . . ». 1,787 1,689 Itoada . „ 1,764 1,651 Afforestation .. 287 469 Building . . •. 2,500 3,243 Prospecting . > 292 232 Miscellaneous ■. < 190 164 Unplaced .. .. 6,272 5,199 Totals ... . 67,865 69,281 The fact that the summer months have brought no appreciable decline in tho numbers of unemployed is causing the board some concern. Discussing the present high number of registrations, the Minister of Employment, the Hon. A. Hamilton, said to-night that unless the numbers began to fall the board would have a very difficult task in maintaining its allocations for the rest of the year. The board had been anticipating a reduction in the total during the summer months and its difficulties would bo accentuated if there were further increases during the coming winter.

The total numbers shown since the present form of returns was adopted have been: —September 3, 73,241; October 1, 73.596; October 29, 71,971: November 26, 69,311; December 24, 69,281; January 21, 67.865. The total reduction since October 1 is 5731.

WORK IN CAMPS NORTH SHORE RESIDENTS STATEMENT BY MINISTER [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Monday In notifying Mr. A. Harris, M.P. for Waitemata, that married relief workers living in the North Shore boroughs will no longer be exempt from the provisions requiring relief workers to enter country camps, the Minister of Employment, the Hon. A. Hamilton, stated: — " The board is of opinion that the work being carried out in these boroughs, while no doubt of considerable benefit to the councils and local residents, cannot be regarded as having the same economic value as the improvement and development of farm lands, which to a large extent is the class of work being undertaken in rural districts under the married men's relief camp schemes." The board was of opinion that the relief labour in these boroughs could be employed to better advantage in country relief camps. It was unable to see why these men should receive different treatment from married men in other localities. Local authorities administering the board's schemes in Auckland were empowered to consider individual exemptions from relief camps. " It is regretted," stated the Minister, " that the board is unable to agree to any material alteration to its policy in regard to diverting relief labour to works of a distinct reproductive or economic, value wherever possible " In commenting on the Minister's reply, Mr. Harris said the loss of trade which would result from the transferring of the men to the country might mean the difference between success and failure of some of the tradespeople of the district. He was not prepared to accept the decision of the Unemployment Board as final and intended to make strong representations ta the Government to have the matter further considered.

RAISING FUNDS FOR RELIEF PROBLEM IN CHRISTCHURCH [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Monday Owing to the serious position facing it the Citizens' Unemployment Committee decided to-day to ask the Mayor of Christchurch to call a conference of local bodies .and others concerned to discuss the problem of raising funds to carry on relief. During the discussion it was suggested that the dole system might be adopted as being preferable to the present No. 5 scheme. Another suggestion was that a national art union should be promoted to raise the necessary funds for the relief of distress.