UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21196, 29 November 1930, Page 14

UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD.

DRIVE TO AFFORD RELIEF. CO-OPEBATION OF LOCAL COMMITTEES. ' / - (Per United Press Association.). WELLINGTON, November 28. The 1 Unemployment, Board/ in farther* * nnce of. its drive to afford some relief to those, suffering through unemployment before .Christmas invites, in' a statement handed to the press, the cooperation ,of ■ all local unemployment committees, and urges the setting up of each committees where they , do not already exist. The board suggests that zuQ constitution of such, committees shoidd be representative of the following organisations—Local governing authorities. Hospital and Charitable Aid - Boards, . Bed Cross Societies, religious bodies, alp social organisations assisting in the relief of unemployment or distress arising therefrom, labour Organisations, Employers’ Associations, Manufacturers’, Associations, Returned Soldiers’, Associations, -representatives of the legislature and Labour Department with power to add as determined by the committee itself.’ The committees can help ■{ 1) By collecting and collating information affecting the problem of unemployment" in their areas; (2) by organising individual effort oh the, part of citizens whereby they find temporary work even if only for a few days at' a time on farms, gardens dr other similar avenues; (3) by co-operating with and assisting the existing social organisations which are administering relief, with a view to relieving temporarily the distress caused through /unemployment, 1 and while affording the board time to explore fully the possibilities of stimulating productive employment as well as organising machinery which -will be needed if it be found necessary to pay sustenance under the Act where employment cannot be found. The board is considering a proposal to provide "a limited amount of money to subsidise ■work organised through these local committees on a basis of £ for £ on wages only if all avenueg are fully exploited. The board hopes that every unemployed worker willing and able to work will get some employment during December and January. The board desires to emphasise that the operations of local committees must he organised without any cost to the board. In regard to the subsidies offered by the Unemployment Board to tide over the Christmas season in districts where unemployment is acute, the board," m obviate any misapprehension -which may exist/ desires to state that the amount * offered, £25,000, is the total amount for all districts, and the allocations in the various districts will be made by the board according to their need at an early meeting as soon as the applications have been received and can be , considered. It has been pointed out that cither certificate of registration or coupon booklet may be accepted by employers as proof of an employee’s registration. CONFERENCE TO BE HELD. Yesterday morning the Mayor (Mr R. S. ; -Black) received the following telegram from the- Unemployment Commissioner (Mr Malcolm Fraser): —“In connection with the Unemployment Board’s offer of subsidies to local bodies, in districts where unemployment is acute to induce them to provide work for the unemployed as a special measure with the object of tiding over the Christmas season, could yon arrange a conference without cost to the board for Monday morning or afternoon of representatives interested to discuss the proposals? Tf so, a member of the board will visit Dunedin over the weekend to meet the conference.” . The Mayor replied to the effect that arrangements were being made to hold a conference at 2 p.m. on Monday. He also stated that he would arrive in Wellington cn Tuesday, and would be glad to meet the representatives of the board that morning and discuss the question of subsidies. ' Invitations to the conference on Monday are being sent to borough councils about the city, to the School Committees’ Association, the educational authorities, , the Taieri County Council, the Waikonaiti County Council, and the Peninsula County Council,