UNEMPLOYMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3610, 22 May 1923, Page 51

UNEMPLOYMENT.

AUCKLAND, May 19. “This is the worst week we have experienced since Christmas in connection with unemployment,” remarked an official in the Labour Department, “He pointed out that there were approximately 250 names on the books of people requiring work. These consisted mostly of labourers fit for heavy work, of whom there were 151. The remainder included 14 farm labourers, mostly unable to milk, eight storemen, a similar number of clerks, nine horse and motor drivers, and 51 other tradesmen, of which 14 were only fit for light work. During the previous four weeks the tota’ number of unemployed on the books ranged from 144 to 214, while in the first week in January there were only 97. This week the department had placed 30 men on pubiio works and eight privately. A Christchurch Press Association message states that according to a telegram despatched to the Prime Minister bv Messrs Sullivan, Armstrong, Howard, and M'Combs, M.P.’s, unemployment is again in evidence in Christchurch. The telegram reads: “There are well over 100 unemployed registered with the Labour Bureau in Christchurch, and more with the labour unions. We urge you to go on immediately with public works in Christchurch. We suggest the immediate problem could be helped at once by commencing the West Christchurch, Richmond, Opawa, West Lyttelton, and Boys’ High Schools. Provision should also be at once made for more pemanent work during the winter months, as unemployment is apparently going to be acute.” A telegram lias also been sent to the Minister of Education urging that the work on the schools mentioned be commenced at once. A similar telegram was sent to the Minister of Pubiio Works.