OFFICE IN UPROAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27038, 24 March 1949, Page 6

OFFICE IN UPROAR

CARPENTERS’ DEMAND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS Daily Times Special Service AUCKLAND, Mar. 23. Twenty-two indignant unemployed carpenters had the third floor of the Social Security Office in High street in an uproar this morning when they demanded unemployment benefits. Four weeks ago. members of the Carpenters’ Union called at the office in a body to register for social security after their dismissal, but they were later advised that they were not eligible for the benefits. The carpenters, who have had no pay for more than a month, have been' calling at the Social Security Office every two or three days lately. Twenty-two of them decided to join forces and demand action to-day. They asked for the registrar, Mr H. W. Chambers, and a heated argument followed. Irate carpenters took most of the floor space in the unemployment benefits department and the uproar grew as one carpenter after another joined in the discussion. When Mr Chambers told them it had been decided that they were not entitled to the benefit, they insisted that he should telephone the Social Security Commission in Wellington immediately. He finally agreed, and went to his office. After telephoning the commissions office, Mr Chambers told the men they could not have the benefits and that the carpenters’ solicitors had the matter in hand. It was about noon when the carpenters left. The Carpenters’ Union is taking steps to test the validity of the department’s refusal to grant the social security benefits.