UNEMPLOYMENT

Southland Times, Issue 22296, 11 April 1934, Page 4

UNEMPLOYMENT

GORE COMMITTEE.

The fortnightly meeting of the Gore Unemployment Committee on Monday night was attended by Messrs W. D. Shelton (chairman), R. W. Noake, A. T. Newman, S. Newell,"J. Sleeman, Joseph Hunter, G. W. Whittingham, W. O’Byrne. « The Commissioner of Unemployment wrote: “In reply to the representations of your committee that the Unemployment Board should favourably consider the reintroduction of Scheme No. 5 (2), I have to state that after taking everything into consideration the board has decided that present conditions are not favourable to this scheme being reintroduced, and regrets that your committee’s recommendation cannot be given effect to.” A relief worker wrote stating that it was his intention to go rabbiting, and inquired if it would be possible to secure sustenance for his wife and children in the meantime, otherwise they would have nothing with which to buy food. The request was referred to the chairman and secretary. The chairman said that the number of men on this week was 71. This was approximately half the number of men working under the same scheme as compared with the same period last year. Of these 58 belonged to Gore and 13 to the country. The position appeared to be improving steadily, although it was reasonable to assume that the figures might increase during the winter. The building scheme had done a tremendous amount of good, but had passed its peak and it might be opportune for the Unemployment Board to consider reopening some of these beneficial schemes.

Mr Sleeman announced that the gardening scheme was being kept well in view. Two inspections had yet to be carried out before June when the prizes would be awarded. It was decided to hold the next meeting on April 30 at 7.30 o’clock in order that future meetings should not clash with the Borough Council as far as possible. Mr O’Byrne said he considered the time advisable for the local committee to break away from the Central Committee (Invercargill) and that the representations should be made to the Minister in the matter. Mr Shelton said the committee would probably have the opportunity of meeting the Minister, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, in the near future, as he understood he intended to carry out a tour. He did not think the local committee had much to complain about. The Unemployment Board appeared to have full confidence in Messrs John Gilkison (chairman) and P. C. Weenink (secretary) of the Central Committee.

The matter was held over in the meantime.