UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 217, 17 October 1914, Page 12

UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM.

CHRISTCHURCH ROAD WORKS. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. [From our own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, October 16. The question of the relief of unemployment was again brought before the Minister of Public Works (Hon. W. Fraser) to-day by a deputation consisting of Messrs J. McCombs, G. Witty, G. W. Russell, T. H. Davey, and H. G. Ell, M.P's, and E. J. Howard (secretary of the Canterbury General' Labourers' Union). Mr Howard said that the Minister must misunderstand the position. He had been reported to have said that j when men were wanted for work on the. Dyer's Pass Road, only four turned up. There were two or three hundred married men out of work in Christchurch, and it was hard to believe that only four would turn up to a job. Someone must have deceived the Minister. It might be argiied that the work was to be. given to unemployed married men in "the Heathcote County, but he could give the names of thirty married men in that district alone who were now out of work. These ixien all.; had their names on the Labour Department 's register; What was the use of J saying that men would not go to work, when there were so many eligible men in and around Christchurch willing and eager to take employment. Mr Fraser read a telegram from the chairman of the Heathcote County Council (Mr G. Scott) to the effect that ten married men had been advertised for to start work on the Dyer's Pass Road. Only two..from Heathcote had turned up, and two from other districts. Another two had since - been put on, making six in all. Mr Ell contended that work could be provided for more than that number. Mr Howard: Will your .department advertise for men in the papers? Mr Fraser: I won't do anything of the kind. They must apply through the Labour Department. Mr Howard: Their names are there now. Mr Fraser's oft-repeated cont&ntion that when work is provided men who claim to be out of employment will not turn up, was borne out by Mr F. W. Furkert (Inspecting Engineer of the Department), who gave several recent examples. He said that the Labour Department had asked the Public Works Department to advertise for men. Mr Fraser: I will not do that. If men want work I will give it them, but I will not find work for men who are simply dissatisfied with their present employment, and want a change of jobs. Men like that won't get work from me. Men who have work must stick to it. , Mr McCombs said that a few days ago The Sun had stated that there were the names of 296 married men on the books of the Labour Department. The real problem to be faced was whether work could be found for them. Mr Furkert said that the survey .work on the Zig-zag road was far enough ahead for some men to be put on right away, although it was not yet completed. Mr Ell: Could you give instructions for work to proceed on that part, and not wait for the complete survey? Mr Fraser: Certainly; as soon as 20 men can be employed. Mr Furkert said that he reckoned they could put on 150 men in a very short time. Mr Ell: But we want to know whether you can put on some men right away. Mr Fraser said that the work was primarily for married men, and if he were to put on many others there would be only a fortnight's work, instead of perhaps two, months'. Mr Furkert said that, in addition to the two works mentioned there was also need for men in the ParnassusKaikoura Road and the Waimate line. Mr Fraser said that instructions would be sent that as great a number as reasonable should be employed on the Dyer's Pass Road, until the £4OO was spent. If men could not be foimd in the Heathcote County they would be drawn from the other districts round Christchurch, so long as they were married, or at least single men with dependents. Mr McCombs said that many of the men employed on the road works would have to travel on the suburban trains, and he asked if it were possible to supply them with free passes.. Mr Fraser: That is a matter for the Railway Department. LOCAL AFFAIRS. There have been no alterations since noon yesterday in the unemployment register at the Christchurch office of the Department of Labour. Mr E. J. Howard, secretary of the General Labourers' Union, Christ-

church, interviewed the Minister of Public Works (Hon. W. Fraser) yesterday in Wellington with regard to the position and to statements which had been made by the Minister. Mr Howard states that after the position had been explained to him, Mr Fraser said that he would give instructions that as many men as possible should be put to work on the Dyer's Pass Road immediately, and that from 50 to 100 men should be employed on the Zig-zag Road next week. Married men and single men with dependents are to be employed. At least a month's work is to be found for each man, and the work is to be done on the co-opera-tive system. Mr Howard says he is satisfied now that if there is any further delay in relieving the unemploy- j ment problem in Christchurch it will not be the fault of the Minister.