THE UNEMPLOYED

Southland Times, Issue 25309, 12 June 1935, Page 8

THE UNEMPLOYED

SERIOUS PLIGHT EFFORT TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS CHRISTCHURCH MEETING (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, June 11. Representatives of the church, local bodies and organizations for the relief of distress, and educational authorities, met to-day at the invitation of the Mayor, Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., to consider making representations to the Government for an improvement in the conditions among unemployed. After the Mayor and Councillor E. H. Andrews, chairman of the Christchurch Unemployment Committee, had made strong appeals in support of-the case for more generous treatment of the unemployed, suggesting among other things the undertaking of large public works at standard rates of pay, Mr M. E. Lyons moved: That this meeting reaffirms the desirability of major schemes absorbing large numbers of unemployed being put into hand by the Public Works Department at standard rates' of pay; that representatives of local bodies pledge themselves to do all in their power to assist in carrying out such a scheme; that at least 20 per cent, should be added to the rates of pay for unemployed and those on sustenance during the winter months; that if this increase is not possible under the present finances of the Unemployment Board the meeting favours an increase in the tax to 1/- in the pound. The motion was carried unanimously and it was agreed also that Canterbury members of Parliament should wait on the Acting-Prime Minister and the Minister for Employment to present the conference’s requests and to ask the Hon. S. G. Smith to visit Christchurch to discuss representations. On the motion of Bishop Brodie, a sub-committee consisting of the mover, Mr Lyons, Messrs Andrews, W. E. Leadley, C. H. Clibbom and C. S. Thompson, was set up to outline works that might be done by unemployed men at standard rates of pay.