UNEMPLOYMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21386, 14 July 1931, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT

RELIEF OF DISTRESS WORK AT THE DEPOTS The various relief depots were busy yesterday taking charge of the clothing, footwear and foodstuffs which were provided in great quantities as the result of the Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association’s drive on Saturday, After carrying out ordinary dis tributing work during the morning the Dowling street depot ceased its usual operations in the afternoon in order that the large supplies of clothing brought from Q shed might be dealt with, whilst the St. Andrew street depot was similarly engaged in coping with the foodstuffs secured by the Commercial Travellers and their assistants. WORK FOR TO-DAY The following groups will report for work at 8 a.m. to-day:— 6, Intersection Norman street and Spottiswoode street. 36, Wakari road, at Ross Creek. 38, Queen’s drive, at Serpentine avenue. 49, Queen’s drive, at top of Russell street. 57, Queen’s drive, between Pitt street and Driver’s road. 58, Intersection Lonsdale street and Hawthorne avenue. The following men of Group 13 will report at St. Clair Baths:—Angus, A.; Eastwood, R.; Buchanan, G. W.; Frese, E. 0. D.; Costa, C. A.; Grieve, M. D.; Hammett, J. ! H.; Harris, J.; Hill, R. E.; Leen, E.; and MacLeod, D. SCHEME No. 4A The Unemployment Committee has received from the Unemployment Commissioner (Mr Malcolm Fraser) a circular which states that limited funds have now been made available for the resumption of scheme 4a. PORT CHALMERS GRANT INCREASED Advice was received yesterday morning that the grant for Port Chalmers which had been reduced to £BB, had now been increased to £IBB. It is stated, however, that this amount is still less than half what is required to meet this week’s payment under the No. 5 ‘scheme. GREEN ISLAND DEPOT Several applications for relief have been dealt with at the Green Island depot. There is urgent demand for men’s and children’s underclothing, and the committee has decided to purchase material for this purpose. All ladies willing to assist in the making of these garments are asked to meet at Kirkland Hall today at 3 p.m., when material will be given. There is also a demand for footwear for men and children, and the committee would appreciate assistance in this direction. CENTRAL MISSION DEPOT The distribution of groceries, clothing etc., continues at the Central Mission Relief Depot. Fully 100 families are being dealt with daily, and everything possible is being done to alleviate the plight of an increasing number of families in the city and suburbs needing all the help that the organisation can accord. There is an absolute urgency for supplies of all kinds at this depot in* assisting not only those who are able personally to come for help but distributing by means of a transport system, material help to aged persons and to the sick. The depot is situated at the back of the Octagon Hall, and the phone number is 18-844.

Mr A. J. Hinton (corner Anderson’s Bay road and Queen’s drive) has consented to receive any parcels.for delivery to the depot. Mr J. H. Hinton* of the grocery department, has placed his car at the disposal of the staff in, order to collect goods from various parts of the city. After very serious consideration it has, been decided to relinquish the services of Mr J. Jeffery, who, for some weeks, has acted as outside organiser, this step being absolutely imperative on account of the strain of the financial resources of the depot. There has been an erroneous statement abroad that Mr J. Jeffery has been receiving 15 per cent, of the entire income. This is not only a gross misstatement, but has greatly prejudiced the work of the canvasser. As a matter of fact, the amount paid Mr Jeffery has never exceeded £2 2s per week, which, to say the least, is. not a living wage. Although as yet the depot has not shared in the disbursements of the Central Fund nor have any supplies come to hand from the Central Committee, sympathetic support has been accorded the work by people in town and country, and the executive desires to convey its heartiest appreciation of the many generous-hearted citizens who, to date, have stood by the work.

POSITION IN WELLINGTON ONE THOUSAND MEN WITHOUT WORK DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 13. The statement that there were 1000 unemployed in Wellington who had received no relief work at all was made when a deputation consisting of the Wellington members of Parliament and the Wellington Unemployment Committee waited upon the Prjme Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes), the Minister of Labour (Mr S. G. Smith) and the Minister of Health (Mr A; J. Stallworthy) to-day. The deputation asked that funds should be provided so that these men could be given work. The Prime Minister promised to .go into the matter with the Minister of Labour. The deputation was introduced by Mr R. Semple (member for Wellington East). The Prime Minister said that if 1000 men could get no work the position was serious. He would go into the matter with the Minister of Labour. Mr Forbes paid a tribute to the work of the voluntary organisations in their efforts to meet the unemployment situation, Mr Smith recalled that Mr Goldsmith had previously waited upon the Prime Minister and himself and submitted a scheme by which camps were to be provided for single men in the country, and married men were to receive rationed work according to the size of the family. He had had a special investigation made to see if that scheme were practicable. Such a scheme if applied to the Dominion would cost £22,160 and for Wellington alone £1974 a week. The Minister suggested that probably a small committee consisting of the Mayor of Wellington, a representative of the Wellington members of Parliament, and a representative of the Unemployment Committee could discuss the position with himself after representations had been made to the City Council. This, the deputation agreed, was the most satisfactory course.