DOMAIN BOARD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 178, 2 September 1914, Page 9

DOMAIN BOARD.

THE UNEMPLOYED QUESTION. The Christchurch Domain Board met yesterday afternoon, Mr H. J. Beswiek presiding. There were also present Messrs F. A. Anderson, C. D. Morris, G. Harper, J. Jamieson, H. Holland, and Dr Levinge. Mr H. G. Ell, M.P., wro*te suggesting that in view of the present scarcity of work for unemployed the time was opportune for the board to prosecute any work that there was to be done. The Chairman said the board was not at present in a position to make the necessary levies on the local bodies. The rates had not yet beeii announced, and the board could not therefore yet collect them. The position .of .. the board was not good—they had an overdraft of some £2OO. The opinion was expressed that nothing could be done at this stage, and it was decided to inform Mr Ell that the particulars (or the power) were not yet in the- possession of the board to enable them to call on the local bodies. The balance sheet showed a debit balance of £lB2 9/7. The gardener's report concerning the work done since the last meeting was adopted. The Mayor asked if the board had any potatoes to sow in order to alleviate the unemployment difficulty. He thought that perhaps the Patriotic Committee might be able to advance money against the rates for the Work. Several people had promised potatoes, and in some instances land to sow them' on. He had seen the unemployment book, and there were 280 men, of whom 160 were married. The chairmen said he did not think the board had any block of land of a size sufficient to warrant them doing anything. • A member: Do you think the unemployed are making any genuine attempt to get work in the country? The Mayor: I do not think so. The chairman said this was a time when they should be getting every particle of foodstuffs they could out of the country. They would then be giving the maximum amount of employment, but the men could not expect to get the Arbitration Court award rate. The Mayor said that employers were being urged, instead of dismissing men, to reduce their hours and thus keep the men in work. The matter was left without any definite conclusion being arrived at.