UNEMPLOYED WORKERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21688, 5 July 1932, Page 8

UNEMPLOYED WORKERS

ASSISTANCE FOR BUILDERS DETAILS OF NEW SCHEME Under the No. 10 scheme, formulated by the Unemployment Board, owners of buildings and builders undertaking certain classes of work specified by the board may now apply for subsidised unemployed labour, provided the work is commenced before the end of the present year. The full subsidy provided for by the scheme will be paid on all such work, but after July 1, 1933, it will be reduced by 30 per cent. CLASSES OF WORK.

The following classes of work may be carried out under the scheme:—(l) Painting, paperhanging, renovating, repairing, modernising, or making alterations or additions to private dwellings where the occupier is the owner or where the occupier is purchasing the dwelling; (2) painting, renovating, or maintenance repairs of dwellings other than those in class (1); (3) the building of dwellings for the bona fide owner-occupier; (4) painting or maintenance repairs or alterations or building of business premises or commercial buildings; (5) building, rebuilding, painting, or renovating public or semi-public buildings; (6) building, making alterations or additions to, and the painting, renovating, or repairing of dairy or other factories, freezing works, storehouses for primary produce. RATE OF SUBSIDY. The building must be in one of the classes listed, and, except in the case of classes 1 and 2, must first have been approved by the Minister of Employment, acting on the recommendation of the Unemployment Board. The work will include the preparation by the builder concerned of fittings, such as joinery, which is a part of the job, although not actually prepared on the work. The amount of subsidy which may be paid to the owner will be determined as follows: On all work in classes 1,2, and 3, and on work in classes 4,5, and 6 in cases where the total estimated labour cost 'does not exceed £SO, a subsidy may be paid in respect of all labour engaged at the rate of 6s 8d for each £1 of wages paid, provided that the maximum subsidy on the wages of any one man shall be at the rate of 22s 6d in any one week. On all other approved work a subsidy may be paid in respect of all labour engaged, provided that such labour does not exceed 80 per cent, of the total labour engaged on the work at the rate of 8s 4d for each £1 of wages paid, provided that the maximum . subsidy on the wages of any one man shall be at the rate of 25s in any one week. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT. The labour on which a subsidy is to be claimed must be engaged through a Government labour bureau. This does not mean that any person sent by the labour officer must be engaged. On receipt of a request for carpenters, painters, or other workers, the officer in charge will advise a number of the tradesmen required where the vacancies are, and from those sent the employer will select. In the event of the builder knowing suitable registered men he may, nominate them to the officer in charge, or, what is more likely to happen, a registered unemployed worker on his day off calls on the foreman on the job, seeking work. If deemed by the foreman to be satisfactory, he gives him a note to the certifying officer to say that, with the consent of the certifying officer, be may commence work on a given date. HOURS OP WORK. The normal working week on works engaging subsidised labour shall be the same as laid down in the current agreement or award covering - this industry. The board does not feel called upon to stipulate a shortening of hours as_ a general practice, but suggests that in view of the unlikelihood of the full complement of builders being re-engaged in industry, that just so long, and whenever the number of registered unemployed building tradesmen exceeds 20 per cent, of the total, the weekly hours be reduced to 40, with the same rate of pay per hour applying. Full particulars as to the procedure to be adopted when applying for subsidy may be obtained from the Government Labour Department. PROVISIONS FOR RELIEF ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICTS. GROUPS TO REPORT. The following groups will report for work at 8 a.m. to-day;— D.C.C. Works Department:—92, Water of Leith, at old sawmill, off Malvern street; 533, Wharf street, at French street; 534, 'Wharf street, at French street. ■, SINGLE MEN’S CAMPS There have been a number of applications during the p’ast week for positions in the mining camp at Cardrona, and there are still vacancies for 30 rnen. A number of men went forward to the camp at Akatore yesterday morning, and another batch is to go forward to-mor-row. As was anticipated, the vacancies for this camp have been filling rapidly. In the other relief camps vacancies have also filled well, but there are four vacancies at each of the following camps:— Omakau, Rae’s Junction, and Wairuna. The Waipahi camp has already been filled. - No. 2 DISTRICT Registrations have been made in large numbers in the No. 2 district depot, and the Ladies’ Committee is busy visiting the homes of those who have registered. Those whose homes have been visited and who need fuel are asked to call at the depot in St. Andrew street to-day and to-morrow between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when, if the report has been satisfactory, orders will be given them to procure coal and wood at 2s and Is per bag respectively. Payment must be made at the depot before the order can be given. Due notice will be given when the depot will be open for the distribution of clothing and orders for boots. No. 4 DISTRICT

The large attendance of unemployed men and their wives at the South Dunedin Town Hall on Saturday night showed that they are keenly interested in the efforts of the district chairman and his executive to assist them through the winter months. Cr J. L. MTndoe occupied the chair, and gave a resume of the progress to date, and what he had planned for the future. Cr F. Wilkinson, of the District Executive, was also present. The first group of the Boot and Clothing Club closed on Saturday with 142 members, and subscriptions for the second group will be received all this week until Saturday next. The response for the first group has exceeded all expectations, and the drawing of the successful numbers in the first ballot was conducted amid much enthusiasm. Twelve nominations were received for three representatives on the inner executive, and the chairman invited the successful nominees to take their place on the platform. Thev were Messrs W. Blackloek, G. T. Jones, and G. S. M‘Kay, and by their applause the audience showed that they were well satisfied with their delegates. Later in the evening community singing was enjoyed by all present, and the meeting terminated with the singing of “God Save the King.” All in No. 4 district are able to obtain lime for their garden plots at the D.C.C. yards, Melbourne street, on Mondays and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. Each worker must supply his own bag, and a charge of 3d will be made for 14tb. The secretary desires to acknowledge the following donations: —Mr T, S. Crawford, men’s boots; Mr F. Wilkinson, one suit. The district office will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. GIFTS ACKNOWLEDGED The Unemployed Workers’ Movement wishes to thank the following firms for their generous donations of material for the extensive alterations to the hall: — M’Sklmming (Benhar), drain pipes, etc.; MTjelland and Co., sand, washhand basin; Clark and Russell, tools; Milburn Lime

apd Cement Company, cement; A. and T. Burt, .plumbing material and credit; Bingham and Co.,' planks, ladders, etc.; Mark Silverstone, timber and joinery, credit; Keith Ramsay and Co., flooring boards; McDonald and Connell, plumbing material; Mat Leckie, plumbing material; J. and T. Christie, plumbing material; Dyer and Co., tools; Morrison and Warren, washhand basin, pipes, etc.; Love Construction Company, sanding paper machine for floor: Fraser and Co., Stuart street, mirror; P. Hayman, decorations, etc.; Bing, Harris, decorations, etc.; Turnbull and Jones, wire, etc.; Farra Bros., galvanised iron; Brinsley and Co., gas cooker; Smith and Smith, paint; J. Wren and Qo., paint; Guthrie, Bowron. and Co., paint; John Edmond, paint; Wilsons, plumbing material; Central Piano Company, loan of piano; and others. Also the following carriers:—Messrs Johnstone, Griffiths Bros., and L. Buddicom. Thanks are also expressed to all unemployed workers who assisted by giving their labour free for the past three weeks, and special thanks to all women workers for cleaning and decorating the hall. UNEMPLOYED DANCE The Unemployed Workers’ Movement held a successful dance in the newlyopened Bijou Hall (late Tabernacle) on Saturday evening. Mr Bryan O’Donnell, after welcoming those present, introduced Mr Peter Neilson, who declared the Bijou Hall open. He said that he considered that the unemployed should be proud of their efforts at construction, which clearly indicated that the unemployed needed only the material, and if given that, he was prepared to say they could indeed be useful ns the builders of a nation. He wished the unemployed and all in the hall good luck. Dancing commenced at 8 o’clock with the grand march, led by Mr O’Donnell and Mrs Park, and Mr P. Neijson and Mrs Don, and at 8.30 there were 235 couples on the floor. The hall was very tastefully decorated, thanks to the efforts of the Working Committee, the sunper being supplied by the Ladies’ Committee. RENTALS FOR TOOLS EXORBITANT CHARGES DEPARTMENT SEVERELY CRITICISED. (Pee United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 4. Severe criticism of the Public Works Department’s action in asking what were termed exorbitant rentals for tools which are now lying idle and deteriorating was made at a meeting of the Citizens’ Unemployment Relief Committee to-day. It was stated that if the local bodies could have the use of the tools at a reasonable rental they could provide work for a considerable number of meii who cannot be provided for week by week. The committee decided to inform the Unemployment Board that the local bodies of Christchurch are prepared to employ additional relief workers, absorbing practically all men who could not now get work, provided arrangements could be made for the Public Works Department to lend the necessary tools. Certain actions of the department were described by the chairman of the committee (Mr E. H. Andrews) as being absolutely ridiculous and insane, and another member stated that the department should have been in the forefront with relief schemes, even if it employed men at reduced rates, instead of putting men on the unemployment market, and asking local bodies for their co-operation in finding work, and in the provision of tools.