UNEMPLOYMENT

Otago Witness, Issue 3510, 21 June 1921, Page 43

UNEMPLOYMENT

“A RIDICULOUS STATEMENT” " .... *,, HASTINGS, June 16. xUr YV. Reardon s statement that the unemployment problem is so acute in Hawke s Bay that the workers are on the vei ge of soup kitchens■ is too ridiculous for words, said Mr Esson, local representative ot tile Labour Department at Hastings, when Known a Wellington press message this afternoon. Mr Esson added that alter complete investigation only two cases requiring relief were found m Hastings. Ho had been advertising for married men but could not get the quota required, it’ was tlio StiniG in Napier. “1 have no cases of distress on my books, arid there are no soup kitchen conditions or anything approaching them.” ‘ ' ° The chairman of the County Council said tne council had nut discharged, and had no intention of discharging, permanent men. iue county rates have been reduced to a flat rate ot a halfpenny ail round, because of the great difficulty experienced in collecting last year rate. The reduced rato was to relieve county ratepayers. This however, did not affect unemployment, i he council s work would continue as usual and as much money would be spent this year a,s last. The money would be required to he provided by’ bank overdraft. He pointed out that the present position was partly brought about by the action of some sections of labour. For instance, the recent hold-up of shipping, the refusal of freezing work) rs to work la.-t Christmas, and the delays caused by the shortage of coal.. Regarding the reduction of wages, the chairman said the last award increased the council’s expenses by £3OOO. The Mayor of Hastings said Mr Reardon’s statement about the reduction of wages was an absurdity, seeing that, all the men are working under an Arbitration Court award. Regarding the dismissal of it he outside _ staff the Mayor said 27 men had been given tin to two months’ notice, not with tie. object of permanent or even temporary- dismissal, hut to gi\c fhe new overseer complete control, by putting on men whom, ha requires. OVER-IMPORTATION OF CLOTHING. CHRISTCHURCH, June 16. Air J. A. Irrostick, chairman of directors of the Kaiap :i Woollen Company, states that the company intends to work shorter hours in its factories. The over-importation of clothing goods had lessened the demand for New Zealand manufactures, and, orders would not keep the plant going fnil time. The _ company hoped to make a reduction fo the least, possible extent in order not to unduly affect the earnings of the worker*