OUT OF WORK

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 12659, 20 January 1927, Page 9

OUT OF WORK

COALMINERS’ PLIGHT GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATING PROBLEMS IN THE CITY << The general question op unemployi ment throughout New Zealand is being investigated by the Government, and it is honed that something definite for discussion by Cabinet will bo reached in the near future.” This announcement wa.s made by the Minister for Labour (Hon. Hr Anderson) yesterdav. In reply to a query, the Minuter

said ha had not been investigating the unemployment in the timber industry particularly. The men in this industry iwero essentially country men with their interests in the country—some of them the most efficient workers— and they would not migrate from tha districts in which their interests lay, nor would they come to town to stay. Thera was a great deal of work which the poople in rural districts were anxious to have done, and this should keep them going. His difficulty was in placing the unemployed in tha cities, and in getting them acquainted with the work of the country, so they could be sent out there. Mr P. Eraser, M.P.: How are"the men in the mines doing? The Minister: The mines which are working ara alright; but we have one big mine .which is to-day in a state of transition Knitangata. I have word, however, that it is expected to have it going in the near future. Mr It. McKean, M.P.: The position

is a serious one there for some of the families. The Minister: I know that, and I have discussed the position. I hope to be able to do something soon. Mr Mclveen: Some of the people are in desperate straits. Over 300 men are affected, and some of them have not been paid tor the la#t two weeks of work they put in there. Mr Cook pointed out that a branch railwny in the south would shortly bo completed, and would throw a number of men out of work. The Minister said he understood there were irrigation and other works in Otago which would keep them go-