UNEMPLOYMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12455, 25 May 1926, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT

THE RELIEF WORKS FINALISING PROGRAMME LOCAL BODIES MUST HELP, A deputation of Labour representatives waited on the Minister for Labour, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, last evening respecting the question of coping with the unemployment problem. The Minister expressed the opinion that in a general way married men should have first consideration in the matter of relief work, and he remarked thatunemployment was one-third greater this year than last year. He said that nil applications for work should come through the Labour Department. Ho did not think the establishment of a women’s labour bureau would be a success ;it had failed elsewhere. He thought local bodies should do their share in providing work. Later it was announced that Ministers had met and further discussed the proposals already formulated with the intention of providing relief. It waa stated that the programme was now being finalised, and it is expected that the jobs would be put in band almost at once.

It is understood that it will he made clear that local bodies are expected by the Government to bear a fair share of the responsibility of providing winter employment for those unable to find work.