CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR GORE UNEMPLOYED.

Southland Times, Issue 22200, 18 December 1933, Page 8

CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR GORE UNEMPLOYED.

To the Editor. Sir, —In another column I have issued an appeal for assistance for Christmas cheer for the 90 men who at present are on the Gore unemployment register and their families. The position is going to be acute for many for the next few weeks. The men finish work on or about December 23 and start again on January 8. They get, two weeks’ wages on the 23rd inst. The weeks between Christmas and New Year is their ordinary standdown week—no work, no pay. The week from January 1 to 6 they do not work, but receive their ordinaiy allotment of wages, which is paid on December 23. They start work again on January 8 and receive their wages on January 13. Class B men, with up to two children, receive on December 23 £2 12/6. Class C, over three children (some in this group have six or mere children), receive £3 12/6. These amounts are to keep the men until January 13. Rents average 14/- per week. Unless extra work can be. obtained the outlook is not too bright. The Unemployment Board is not giving an extra day’s work this Christmas. On behalf of the families of these men I desire to make an appeal for a few extras for Christmas. The relief depot at the Town Hall will reopen on Saturday, December 23, for the distribution of meat, groceries, etc. To those who feel disposed to assist, I shall be gratefu' for carcasses of mutton or lamb, groceries or cash, the cash to be spent by the relief committee in purchasing goods. To those who can give meat, please ring me before noon on Wednesday next, so that if sufficient is not in sight the committee will have time to nurchase sheep and have them killed at the abattoirs in time for Saturday. All goods should be left at the Town Hall before 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 23. To those who wish to give an order for groceries, etc., please make it out in a form similar to this: “Messrs (your grocer’s name), please supply bearer with groceries to value of ... . and charge to my account.” Sign your name. These orders will be handed to the men with the greatest responsibilities. Should any reader require the services of a man for work for one or more days during this period, please communicate with Mr Melvin, unemployment office (telephone 255), or myself (telephone 165 or 85). Any donations of cash or grocery orders may be left with the town clerk. Thanking you, I am, etc., ALEX. T. NEWMAN, Mayor of Gore.