UNEMPLOYMENT

Southland Times, Issue 20538, 14 July 1928, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT

RELIEF ARRANGED IMMEDIATE WORK FOR FIFTY MEN MAYOR’S PROMPT MEASURES If there is one man in Invercargill deserving of the thanks of the community at present, that man is the Mayor (Mr John Miller) for his tireless endeavours during the past few weeks to relieve the local unemployment position. Ever since the early part of winter when Invercargill looked like being badly hit by the unemployment problem, Mr Miller has expended no small amount of energy and time to secure some relief for the large number of unfortunate men, young and old, some with large families, who through no fault of their own are out of a billet. At last his efforts have been rewarded, and as a result 50 men will be “placed” right away on work on the Oreti river-Beach road.

Discussing the position yesterday, Mr Miller stated to a Times reporter that he was very dissatisfied with the reply concerning the subsidy from Mr Coates. By Mr Miller’s tone the reporter was almost convinced that the Government’s unsatisfactory reply had actuated the Mayor in taking it upon himself, backed by his council, to issue instructions to the engineer (Mr E. A. Gumbley) to start 50 men right away on the road from Oreti river to the Beach. Mr Miller did not hide his disappointment over the Premier’s reply and added that he (Mr Coates) had evaded his question. “I telegraphed Mr Coates on June 14 asking what the Government decided to do regarding the subsidy for the maintenance and beautifying of streets,” said the Mayor. “It was also explained that the unemployment situation was becoming acute in Invercargill and that the council was anxious to undertake certain works if it could be assured of the usual Government subsidy. Again on Wednesday I wired Mr Coates in a similar strain and here is the reply I received to-day.” Mr Miller referred to Mr Coates’ reply which read:

“Public Works assistant engineer at Invercargill has been supplied with copy of conditions on which Government is prepared to grant subsidies to local bodies for unemployment relief and has been requested to interview you and submit report and recommendations as early as

possible.” “I regard that as very unsatisfactory,” commented Mr Miller. “Mr Coates has evaded the question.” The Mayor went on to say that before he received Mr Coates’ telegram the assistant engineer of the Department telephoned and asked for a schedule of the proposed works which the council suggested should be put in hand. The Mayor explained to the engineer the nature of his telegrams to the Prime Minister and stated that should he receive a favourable reply from Mr Coates he (the Mayor) was willing to open a subscription list and seek the co-operation of the Press and the general public. The engineer then decided to wire his Department advising that the Mayor had telegraphed Mr Coates and was awaiting his reply. “That is the position,” added the Mayor. “One difficulty is the finding of suitable employment for these men out of work. Then again, many people would be quite willing to give monetary help if they knew they were going to get some of the money spent in improving the streets near their own surroundings. That is why we are anxious to have some definite idea from the Government as to what it is prepared to do to help us in our desire to provide employment on street and beautifying work within the town.” MAYOR’S FUND OPENED.

For some time the Mayor has been urging on the Government that assistance should be given to the borough if it undertakes work to give relief for the unemployed, and yesterday word was received that his request had been granted. The Public Works assistant engineer informed the Mayor yesterday he had received a telegram stating that the Government cannot undertake to subsidize street maintenance, but will subsidize street beautifying if the work is carried out by public subscription. Speaking to a Times representative last night, the Mayor said now that this had been granted he would be pleased to open a fund and the work would be proceeded with as expeditiously as possible. He handed over a cheque for £2 2/- to open the fund. Subscriptions to the Mayor’s fund will be received at the Southland Times office and will be duly acknowledged. COUNTY COUNCIL’S ACTION. PROPOSED RELIEF WORKS. At the monthly meeting of the Southland County Council yesterday the following list of works was submitted to be forwarded to the Public Works Department with the suggestion that they be carried out by unemployed labour: —lnvercargill-Bluff Road, reconstruction work up to £5000; making an embankment on north side of Waihopai River from Railway Bridge to Elies Road, up to £3000; Croydon Siding School Road, construction work £5OO. These works can be done in conjunction with work carried out by the boroughs. As these works are all close to boroughs there will be no need for the erection of workmen’s camps. Mokoreta-Waikawa Road, bush-clearing and reconstruction, £5OO was added to the list. POSITION IN COUNTRY. LETTER TO COUNTY COUNCIL. The statement that there is plenty of work in the country was not borne out at the monthly meeting of the Southland County Council yesterday when the following letter was received from a resident of the Northern District: —“l beg to inquire if you could place me in some sort of a situation, surfaceman, anything, as long as it is a job. I hear that you may be building a bridge at the Steeple Creek, near Waikaia, and I think that if any men were required I might get a job. I have applied for many jobs this past six or seven months, but most of my applications have failed. I have had odd jobs from time to time, but hope soon for luck to come my way with a steady job. Failing no work at present, would you kindly note my name for some future date, when work may seem more plentiful. Meanwhile, sir, I anticipate an early reply.” At the foot of the letter had been marked the following statement: —“Applicant to be informed that there is no work available at the present time.”