UNEMPLOYMENT.

Otaki Mail, 23 April 1934, Page 2

UNEMPLOYMENT.

LOCAL COMMITTEE MEETS. The local unemployed committee met in the Mayor’s room on Tuesday evening those present being Messrs P. W. Goldsmith (Mayor), E. E. Hirst, E. Herrick, H. L. Jenkins, W. Stannard, J. H. Taylor, W. G. Bishop, E. D. Beil, T. Grogan, H. Bennett, H. McMillan and F. E. Parker (deputising for H. Channings). A motion of sympathy with Mr. E. D. Bell in tho recent death of his wife was carried in silence. After the public meeting held in February the chairman stated that he wont to Wellington to convey personally to the Hon. Minister of Employment the resolution passed at that meeting. The Minister, however, was indisposed, but in company with Mr Linklater, he was able to interview the Unemployment Board. On his return to Levin he wrote to the Hon. Minister conveying a copy of the resolution carried and enlarging thereon. The Chairman read this letter and also the reply received in which it was stated that, *vith the funds at its disposal, the Board found itself unable to increase the allocations in the country districts The chairman also read a copy of a letter that he had later sent to the Board through the Commissioner, among other things suggesting that members of the BoaTd should visit Levin and discuss the whole question of relief works with the interested bodies. Tho Commissioner replied that at the present time such a visit was impossible, bujt should it !bo found practicable at a later date due notice of the impending visit would be given.

, The chairman, then went on to state that an agitation has recently been going on in Taranaki with a view to the allocations evened up, comparative figures showing a large difference in relief granted to workers in different towns in that province. This matter was brought up at tho Municipal Conference, but they did not get very far before the matter developed into a tug-of-war between town and country. Eventually it was decided that those members who were dissatisfied should form themselves into a deputation to wait on the Government who proved adamant and maintained that the basis of allocation which depended on eo many things not at first sight apparent, waa the best possible under the circumstances. The position in Levin as far as allocations were concerned had not altered but the number of registrations had increased considerably of late, 158 being on the pay sheet for last week, chiefly owing to the cessation of seasonal and other works in the district. The chairman stated that with the chairman of the County Council he had hoped to go to Wellington on Thursday next to interview the Board members with reference to the position in Levin. The Board however, wore engaged for that day and could not see any deputations.

Mr Bishop expressed appreciation of the efforts of the chairman on behalf of the local unemployed.

After several questions dealing with, routine matters had been answered the meeting adjourned.