UNEMPLOYMENT

Otago Witness, Issue 3768, 1 June 1926, Page 29

UNEMPLOYMENT

A CLERGYMAN’S APPEAL. (Fnoii Oub Own Cobbespondknt.) AUCKLAND, May 24. An appeal on behalf of Auckland’s unemployed was made by the Rev. Canon Graut-Cowen at St. Matthew’s Church yesterday. He said that the secretary of the Unemployed Association had reported that there were upwards of 600 men requiring assistance. Many of these were married men with large families, and the housing of the children was none too satisfactory. During this wet season there had been cases of terrible hardship. Although the civic authorities and the Charitable Aid Board were endeavouring to do their best, they were beset with many difficulties. Many men and women in the church could probably find work for some of the men, even if they could give a man work for only a day or two. They had more of the unemployed in St. Matthew’s parish than in any other parish in the diocese. A WELLINGTON DEPUTATION. WELLINGTON, May 25. A deputation introduced by the Labour members of Parliament waited on the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Labour, last night relative to unemployment. The speakers urged the need for prompt Government action to deal with the matter. It was pointed out that there were several public works about the city, such as the planting of reserves and road extensions, which could be put in hand, and the qnestion was whether the Government would assist the local authorities in the matter of finance where such works were put in hand to absorb the unemployed. There were also a number of waitresses and a couple of nurses out of work, it was stated. Mr Anderson said so far as he could see there was not so much unemployment as some people represented. The Government, however, was giving the question of unemployment serious consideration, and relief works were being investigated. He hoped within a fe v days married men would be placed in works suitable for them. The Minister thought that the local authorities must do their own share. Touching on the question of discharged hands, the Minister was of opinion that it was the duty of the employer at times of trouble to relieve the position as far as possible. The position uf unemployed women was more difficult. In reply to his question whether they would go into the country, a woman member of the deputation replied in the affirmative. The Minister said he would see what could be done. Replying to a question regarding assistance in the matter of meals for single men, the Minister said they were in a better position than other men to go into the country and look for work. PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT. TAUMARUNUI, May 25. At the complimentary dinner tendered him the Prime Minister, when dealing with unemployment, said he did not consider it the duty of the Government- to find work for all, but rather in hard times to assist necessitous cases. A survey had been made of important works that could be gone on with, and which would provide work for necessitous cases. POSITION IN NAPIER. NAPIER, May 26. Unemployed from all parts of New Zealand, including Invercargill, the West Coast, and Auckland, have come to Napier with the mistaken idea that there is plenty of work to be had in this district. These men have seemingly received information through some unknown source which has falsely led them to believe employment can be had here, and consequently the town has been visited by more unemployed than it can cope with. The Public Works Department has undertaken to put more men on works in the district, but this merely serves to alleviate the position in Napier, without taking account of the men from elsewhere. in consequence, Mr John Mason, M.P., has telegraphed as follows to the Minister of Labour: “The position regarding unemployment here is being rendered more difficult by men coming from various parts of New Zealand who apparently have been told that there is plenty of work going in this district. As a matter of fact, work cannot be found to absorb all the unemployed here, and I think it is very desirable that a message should be, if possible, broadcasted through the papers advising men that it is useless travelling from one part of the country to another unless definitely advised through branches of the Labour Department that work is available in districts to whfch they propose to travel.”

WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED. MU COATES OUTLINES POLICY. AUCKLAND, May 28. “The unemployed are not going to dictate to the Government of this country—l tell you that quite clearly. You will get work at the rate of wages we decide on, not at what you decide. Work will be provided for necessitous cases, and you can take it or leave it, just as you like.’* Mr Coates made this statement in replying to a deputation representing the unemployed that waited on him seeking work at trade union rates.

The deputation was introduced by Mr Savage, M.P. Messrs ,Parry, Lee, and Mason, M.P.’s, were also present. Messrs \V. Sill, J. Purtell. and F. C. Paco wero members of the deputation. Mr D. Henderson, representing the unemployed union, and Mr G. Stove, representing the Alliance of Labour, were the spokesmen. A large body of the unemployed men waited on the footpath outside the Grand Hotel while the deputation its case before the Prime Minister. A weighty book, alphabetically arranged, showing the names and addresses of the unemployed inen, the amount of rent they had to pay, and the place where they were last* employed, was presented by Mr Henderson, who told tlio .Prime Minister that the men

wanted work at trade union rates. They did not want charitable aid. When the position first became acute a few weeks ago there were 262 names on the Labour Department’s books, and there were now 311. However, those figures did not represent the total number of unemployed. In the book which he had with him there were 710 names.

“This country is not what it is cracked up to be in the Old Country,” said Mr Henderson, who complained that he had been out of a job for some time after coming out from England in the belief that work was plentiful. He had been to the war and was a shell-shock case, and, as a result, he could not follow his trade, which was that of a barber. The Prime Minister: Do you mean to say you cannot get work as a hairdresser? Mr Henderson . Well, I don’t know that anyone would allow me to put a razor on his throat.

The Prime Minister: Is that where you put the razor? Mr Henderson: I put it anywhere. —iLaughter.) •‘There is going to be no mollycoddling.” said Mr Coates, after the other members of the deputation had spoken. “Everyone will have to work. I am most concerned about the women and children living in poor quarters, and those cases must be investigated. We may have to get some of them shifted out of the city, despite the fact that they are usually the last that want to go. We all know how difficult it is to get people like that to shift, even if it is in their own interests.”

A member of the deputation said he would willingly go to a job if he was driven out, no matter how far it might

“Oh! you don’t want to bo driven; retorted Mr Coates. “If you walk out you will get your muscle up.” The man said he had been to the war and started to complain of his troubles in this connection, when the Prime Minister reminded him that he was lucky to be out of it.

“Luckier if we never got out of it, then we would not be in trouble to-day,” said the man, who was evidently dejected. The Prime Minister said it would be better if some of those who were so discontented went back whence they came. it was better to be alive than dead any day. Hard times would not last for ever, and those who were up against it should not expect to sit down and expect to be fed. They had to go through their gruelling like everyone else, as there was no royal road to success.

Explaining the system under which relief would be given. Mr Coates said the works selected were more or less of a national character. Work for the unemployed wouid be in addition to what had been mapped out, as it was not possible to carry out work with a shifting population. Many of the men would have to live near the job. He said arrangements had been made to provide work for necessitous cases, but that work was to be something apart from the programme of ordinary public works. That could not be interfered with. *ITe was going to see that this country did not revert to the conditions of 20 years ago, when men were put on public works in winter, and taken oft in summer. One had only to compare the position of the men employed on public works to-day with the lot of those who got employment for the winter only under the system of 20 years ago to realise that the present system was superior. Those who were advocating a reversion to the old system could advocate till they were blue as far as he was concerned.

A full list of necessitous cases should be sent to the Labour Department, and he would issue the necessary instructions. Primarily, he was concerned with the married men who had wives and children living in poor conditions. They would be given work as near to town as possible, but the unmarried men would have to “hike out” into the country.

In conclusion, Mr Coates said ho would give his personal attention to those necessitous cases where women and children were concerned, and as soon as the list of oases was handed to him he would go into the matter. •

QUESTIONABLE TACTICS. It. is doubtful whether one of the methods employed by the unemployed deputation which waited upon the Prime Minister to-day did any good to its cause. Half a dozen of the members of the deputation carried square placards mounted on short poles, and bearing such inscriptions as: “Bread and peace,” “We want work, not charity.”

One lengthy deputationist, whose photo-graph-published this evening—shows him to be a man of about 6ft, carried a special placard twice the size of the others, and bearing the words: “Is the man who gets things done competent?” Such a lack of good taste, to say nothing of the impudence displayed, was not calculated to advance the cause of the men who are seeking work. These banner-bearers paraded in front of the Grand Hotel prior to the deputation being received by the Prime Minister, but, as might be expected, their strange conduct provoked many uncomplimentary remarks. The placards were not obtruded at the meeting.

NEW PLYMOUTH RESOLUTION. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 28. At a meeting of about 50 unemployed this morning a resolution was carried calling on the Government and local bodies to provide work to alleviate distress. There are 90 names on the local register. Mr Bartrain, member of Parliament for Grey Lynn, stated that when an immigrant ship arrived at Auckland a number of shop girls were dismissed, and there places were filled by immigrants. PRIME MINISTER CRITICISED. WELLINGTON, May 29. Mr P. Butler, organiser of the Unemployed Union, commenting on the Prime Minister’s reply to the unemployed at Auckland, says: “Ministers have put forward a few ambiguous promises on relief, but have not yet offered anything for the unemployed to taka or refuse. Surely Mr Coates is suffering from a severe attack of nerves when he suggests that, because men ask for employment at trade union rates of pay, they are dictating to the Government.” He continued: “Mr Coates’s talk is eyewash. and but a cloak to hide the unpreparedness of the Government, which is the more to be condemned in view of his exhorting everyone a few months ago to be prepared for bad times ahead.” Mr W. Bromley, secretary of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council, said to-

day: “If Mr Coates means that it is the Government’s policy to continue bringing out immigrants in largo numbers without proper provision having been made for placing them in employment, and then using the unfortunate unemployed (both the arriving immigrants and those out of jobs at the present time! for reducing the standard of wages—ana it would appear from his statement that that is the Government’s intention—l feel quite sure that such a policy will be resisted by the whole of the labour movement in New Zealand.” WAYS AND MEANS. AUCKLAND, May 29 The Prime Minister, realising that the unemployed problem must be tackled quickly, is calling an immediate conference to consider ways and means, the personnel to include representatives of city councils, the New Zealand Natives’ Association, the R.S.A., and the Labour Department. It will be presided over by himself. CONFERENCE WITH MR COATES REQUESTED. WELLINGTON, May 29. Unemployment was discussed to-day by a meeting of the Wellington members ot Parliament convened by Sir John Luke. It was decided to send the following telegram to Mr Coates: “The Wellington members of Parliament, jointly with Mr W. H Field. M.P. for Otaki, are desirous of interviewing you at the earliest possible moment in reference to unemployment in Wellington City and district. We are confident that the Government contemplates putting in hand public works, and respectfully sug gest that an interview will promote conditions that will relieve the present depression.” The telegram was signed by- Sir John Luke and Messrs Fraser, M‘Keen, and Forsytli. DISCUSSED BY LABOURERS’ UNION AND R.S.A.v The burning question of unemployment occupied the minds of the members of the Returned Soldiers’ Executive at its meeting last week, when a deputation consisting of Messrs R. Harrison (president) and J. MacManus (secretary) of the General Labourers’ Union waited upon them to explain the position of returned soldier members who had been dismissed from the tramways maintenance department. In welcoming the deputation, the President (N[r E. J. Anderson) stated that the association’s opinion was that returned soldiers in employment should be retained, all things being equal. Mr MacManus stated that the contention of his union was that in view of the Ir ish promises made to returned soldiers by the Government and local bodies the responsibility lay with those bodies to retain the men in employment. Threshing was late, and when this work was fin,slieil and the butter and cheese factories and freezing works closed down the position would become acute. There were no works to be undertaken by local bodies immediately, aud it appeared to him that they could be looked to for very little relief, lie thought the Government should be approached. The Government departments and the City Council were investigating the possibility of putting works in motion. # % Mr Harrison said he felt it might almost be futile to appeal to local bodies. He thought unemployment was due to a defect in the economic system. If the Returned Soldiers’ Association stood for a square deal it might look for some solution. Either unde,.-consumption or underproduction was responsible for unemployment. They should fight for an opportunity for greater consumption or a revision of the system of controlling production. He would like to go back to his union with something to fight for to relieve “this sin of society.” Mr MacManus said there seemed to be no distinction made between returned soldiers and others in dismissing men. Mr P- S. Anderson: I take it that we can ask to have these men retained only as 1 long as there is work for them. Mr A MHutchon: It appears that we must look for fresh avenues of employment. Mr MacManus said he understood that single men were still being employed by the Tramways Department on maintenance work. There was no suggestion of incapacity on the part of the men dismissed. Mr MacManus later referred to a matter he had brought up at the City Council regarding the last three men employed on Anzae avenue. He doubted if any of them were even British subjects.—(Laughter.) Two of the men were Italians. The other’s name, as pronounced by Mr MacManus, strongly suggested that he belonged to India 'or some othei Eastern nation. On their departure the member? of the deputation were assured hv the president that if the Returned Soldiers! Association, by co-operating with the General Labourers’ Union could provide work for imemnloyed men the association would “fit