UNEMPLOYED MEN MEET

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1931, Page 9

UNEMPLOYED MEN MEET

CONVENER FAILS TO APPEAR REPRESENTATIVE on committee Between 40 and 50 unemployed men met at New Plymouth last night and a representative, Mr. H. Hall, was selected for nomination to the New Plymouth unemployment committee. It was decided to wait.upon the Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Labour and chairman of the Unemployment Board, on Saturday evening with the object ot seeking a seat on the committee for still another representative. For this purpose a cub-committee of three was appointed with power to add another to its'number. _ The meeting was advertised for 7.4 a, but after the men had been waiting in the street for three-quarters of an hour and the' convener had failed to appear, the doors were opened and Mr. H. Chapman was elected chairman. The objects of the meeting were explained by. Mr. A, S'hippey. ■ Mr. W. Hill said that, as the result of inquiries he had instigated during the day he had found that there was no remuneration whatever attached to the position-on the committee. This would mean that an unemployed man would be unable to take relief work and 'sit on the committee at the same time; in other words, such a man would ‘‘starve on the job.” No nominations were offered, so Ad« jutant H. McKenzie, Salvation Aimy Officer, suggested that if any New Plymouth man, not necessarily among the unemployed but carrying their welfare at heart, could be found it might be wise to appoint him. Mr. H. Hall volunteered to fill the position. Mr. B. Thorne was suggested as a possible nominee, but in view or his non-attendance at the meeting he was passed over and Mr. Hall elected. At the request of, the meeting Adjutant McKenzie then explained \ the working of the Unemployment Board. He felt that a representative of 'the unemployed should find an executive position as one man there was “worth six on the committee.” He suggested that a sub-committee be elected to approach the Hon. S. ; G. Smith to try to procure a seat for am additional representative on the board. A motion with that object was moved but Mr. Hill objected, receiving several supporters. The amendment was overruled by the meeting and the following sub-committee was appointed: Adjutant McKenzie, Messrs R. Doeg and A. Yardley. Adjutant McKenzie asked for power to add Mr. Thorne to the committee if that were possible. Mr. Hill again objected but a motion giving the necessary power was passed.