UNEMPLOYMENT

Otago Witness, Issue 3555, 2 May 1922, Page 57

UNEMPLOYMENT

POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, April 25. At a. meeting of the City Council last night a letter was read from the Prime Minister in reply to an inquiry whether the Government would subsidise money expended by the council in providing work for the unemployed, and stating that, the matter had been considered by Cabinet, and it yvas regretted that such expenditure by local b dies could not be subsidised. In ord • to meet the position yvith regard to . ..employment the Government was setting up relief works in various parts of the dominion in connection yvith the Public Works Department. At the same time the Government expected local bodies also to do their share in the matter of relieving unemployment in their respective districts. Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., said the council might have received a more sympathetic reply from the Government, which yvas not making any serious attempt to deal with unemployment. It was not right that returned soldiers should have to go from house to house collecting bottles or selling writing tablets. He moved that a reply be sent expressing dissatisfaction with the contents of Mr Massey’s letter, and expressing the hope that the Government would either subsidise local bodies’ efforts or take more effective steps to absorb unemployed men. Cr Herbert thought the council should do something itself, and not lean on the Government. Cr Martin said a regrettable feature of the position was the callousness with which big business men, who made expensive trips Home, were discharging their employees. People did not realise the extent of unemployment in the city. Cr Sullivan’s motion, with an, addition to the clause asking the Government to state what relief units were started in the vicinity of Christchurch or the South Island, was carried. POSITION IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, April 25. At the .meeting of the Progress Lie,gun the question of unemployment in the city was discussed. Dr Newman. M.P., advocated the reorganisation of the system under which work was offered through the Labour Employment Bureau. There seemed to be a hitch in communication lie tween the Employment Bureau and Government yvork. With the Government and city loans the position should be eased. It was'time something was done. Men were becoming heartsick of calling continually at the Labour Bureau without success. The winter yvas coming on, and unless something practical yvas done to alleviate the burden of the unemployed tilings would soon become more serious. An endeavour should be made to find out what the hitch was and get it repaired. Various, works were suggested by members as important enough to be put in band at once, such as the Thorndon reclamation work and the improvement work on the Paekakarikei and Rimutaka routes. It was stated that unemployment was increasing, and that there should be only one unemployment registration centre in the city. The unemployed were no longer calling on the Labour Bureau, because there were no jobs offering. The position was growing more acute, at anv rate amongst men other than returned soldiers. The Government had taken on disabled men and sent them to various road works. Partially disabled men wanted light work, not navvyingv

It was decided to approach the Prime Minister and endeavour to seek a solution of the difficulty.