UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE TAIERI

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21544, 16 January 1932, Page 14

UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE TAIERI

TO THE EDITOR. Sin —There have appeared in your columns from time to _ time _ letters from correspondents expressing disapproval ot employment being given to superannuated men and wives of men in steady work. Many people are of opinion that it is unjust that these people should be allowed to obtain positions when unemployment is so prevalent, with the result that large numbers of men and women are in want. I wish to bring before the notice of the public the case of a man who is employed as foreman of a job on the Taien Plain under the Public Works Department and who is also owner of a farm of approximately 150 acres, a herd of milking cows, and a flock of sheep and other stock. The position this man holds requires no exclusive qualifications, and his work could be done by any general labourer. There is a number of unemployed men in the. district, several of whom are exemployees of the Public Works Department with some years of good service to their record. I trust that pressure will be brought to bear on the Public Works Department and that the matter will be remedied. —I am, etc., Adscihptus Glebae. Outram, January 14.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Will you kindly allow me to stale a few facts which I think require drastic investigation by all local unemployment committees. The Public Works Department is employing a man at full time on a job on the T'aieri who has a farm large enough to carry CO milking cows, a flock of sheep, and other stock. There arc quite capable men in the locality with practically no means of livelihood except their wages, which in these depressing times amount to nine days’ work a month on relief. — I am, etc., JUSTICE. TO THE EDITOR. Silt, —As one of the unemployed I wish to heartily endorse all that “ Farmer ” said in his letter this morning about the state of things in Outram. On each of three different fruit farms a married woman is employed picking fruit, and as these women’s husbands are quite capable of supporting them it is time this was stopped. There are plenty of girls and boys, too, who could do the work equally as well if they .were given the chance. The employers arc to blame for encouraging these women. —I am, etc., Unemployed.