A DEARTH OF WORK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20322, 2 February 1928, Page 3

A DEARTH OF WORK.

UNEMPLOYMENT IN AUCKLAND GRAVE POSITION DISCLOSED. (Special to Dailt Times.) AUCKLAND, February 1. The unemployment situation was referred to to-day by the city missioner, the Rev. Jasper Calder. “ Human nature can stand a certain amount,” he said, “ but, so far as we are concerned, we have reached the end of our tether. I predict that if something is not done soon there will bo a big political revolt, because there is an ugly tone from some of the men—a tone that I do not like.” The city missioner accepted full responsibility for his utterance, declaring emphatically that for the first time in the history of the mission he had been compelled to inform people that he could not assist them, so groat was the stream of people who passed through the institution daily in search of food, drink, and clothing.’ The unemployment position has steadily grown worse during the past few months, and it is estimated hy those with an intimate knowledge of the market that there are over 2000 men alone out of work in the city and suburbs. Trade union books disclose startling figures, and even in midwinter the out-of-work lists arc no greater than they are at, present. City relief workers shudder to contemplate what is to happen before the winter of 1928, as the situation has never been so tense in mid-January as it is revealed to he at the present time. Asked if he eonld suggest a remedy, Mr Calder said: “ There is only one remedy—work. If von handed me now a cheque for £looo—and heaven knows I could do with it here—it would not give these men what they want. Thev do not want charity. They want work.” Are all the cases you handle genuine hard-ups ? ‘‘ I say that 00 per cent of them are genuine cases. You see. wo know them so well that they are not strangers to us. We get a few larrikins, but we soon pick them out.”