“ACUTER THAN EVER"

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11303, 31 August 1922, Page 5

“ACUTER THAN EVER"

UNEMPLOYMENT DISTRESS DUTY OF OT 1 ?Y COUNCIL AND GOVERNMENT. “INEXCUSABLE DELAY.” “T regret to report that through various circumstances the unemployment problem has become a little more acute again this week, as many of the unemployed have now used up all the reserves of capital (if any) they had. The distress caused in the homes by the continuous unemployment is more acute than ever.” This is the not verv assuring remark with which Air G. Mitchell. AI.P. (secretary of the Central Progress League), commences a report upon the present state of unemployment. The registrations at the Labour Bureau, he states, have declined somewhat, there being only 330 names on the books. This is due to the fact that the bureau has no work to offer and only occasional men are placed. The Repatriation Department also shows a decline, as the men out on by the City Council are still being employed. On tho other hand, the registrations at the City Council bureau show an alarming increase, indicating that those seeking work have been drawn to the City Council’s bureau in anticipation of the many municipal works on the schedule being proceeded with. The actual number of unemployed i« the city to-day. after allowing for nil duplications and “dend” names, is estimated as between 750 and 800 men. “Unfortunately,” states the report, “this state of things is not. confined to our city. Reports received from other centres indicate that they have had their full quota of unemployed. It was anticipated that many more works on the City Council’s loan schedule would have been pushed on with when tho money was raised, and thereby more men would have been absorbed on these essential works, but this anticipation has not proved true. Food is being supplied by the Alayor’s committee to urgent cases, and provision ia being made for a number of expectant mo titers where the husband is out of work and no provision is made. But all these efforts nreonlv temporary. Work alone will solve the problem, and although the Government_ are now employing 500 men on road relief works in the province further effort should he made by them. Tho city should also go on with many of the works proposed. The delay, now money is available. is inexcusable. It is from now until November that the need is most urgent and something should be done W the Government and responsible bodies at once.” DEPUTATION TO PREMIER. A deputation of unemployed in Wellington will wait upon the Prime Minister at 10.45 this morning. In order that an accurate statement may be presented of unemployment existing m the city and suburbs, it has been arranged that members of the deputation will meet at the Sydney street schoolroom at 10 o’clock, when they are requested to hand in written statements, giving name and address, ordinary occupation, number of children, and stating whether married or single, etc. Air P. Fraser, M.P., is acting as convener. THE AIAYOR’S FUND. Donations continue to come forward for the Alayor’s Unemployment Relief Fund, among the latest being “An Aucklander” £2O, per “Evening Post” £l2 4s, Mrs A. J. Atkinson and R. H. Jenkins £2 2b each, “Sympathy” £l. An anonymous donor has given £5 for the purchase of food for the needy, and Messrs A. S. Paterson and Co. have donated a ton of potatoes.