UNEMPLOYMENT IN HAWERA

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1932, Page 10

UNEMPLOYMENT IN HAWERA

LESS SEASONAL WORK. FARMERS LACK THE MONEY Organised unemployment relief in the Hawera district was first instituted 13 months ago and, although the registered number exceeded 300 at the end of May, it is interesting’ to note that seasonal employment in the form of farm and factory positions has lessened this number to almost exactly half in six months. At first glance this fact appears to be eminently satisfactory; but it is only seasonal work that has absorbed the great majority and there is the possibility of their return to the unemployment register in the next few months. In view of this, and remembering that in the comparatively small town of Hawera there are at present 152 men receiving relief work, the. secretary of the local unemployment committee, Mr. J. E. Campbell, is not optimistic regarding the chances of a speedy recovery in the employment market before the winter months arrive. MONEY FOR WORK. In addition there is the problem of money for the payment of relief workers. For some time this amount has .been becoming smaller, proportionately, with the result that men entitled to a certain number of days’ work under the provisions of the Unemployment Board have been unable to receive their full time owing to lack of funds. When it is realised the number of days work at l’2s 6d a day necessary to permit a worker and his dependents to live, it is easily understood that with a reduced number of working days many families are finding it difficult to struggle along. In the week beginning May 25 there were 92 single men, 114 married men with two dependents, and 48 with more than two dependents on the Hawera unemployment register. Apart from this number a further 50 unemployed were at work under different farm schemes, making a total of 304. On June 6, when there were about the same number of unemployed, 174 men were placed on relief work at an aggregate wage of a little over £3OO for the week.

For the present, week, of a total of 152 men still on the register, 112 men were allocated work. The amount received from the board for payment totalled only £179 10s, necessitating the reduction of the work available for married men with more than two dependents from four days to three days, and that available for married men with two dependents from three days to two and a-half days. Mr. Campbell said yesterday that there had never been so little money available for an ordinary week’s work, with the exception of those weeks when a major. :y of men were standing down as provided by the regulations. “Some people are apt to say that the men on the unemployment register are content to draw relief wages and that they do not bother to scout round for work on their own account,” said Mr. Campbell. “That might be so in odd cases, but from the number of real triers we havp on our register —men who are only too anxious to provide for themselves —we know that the work is not offering. It is true that a number of farmers have work that could very well be done but they are not in a position to pay for labour, and that is the crux of the whole matter.”

It had been anticipated that there would be a certain amount of work in the form of hay and ensilage making and root crop weeding offering for unemployed men over the summer months, continued Mr. Campbell. However, contrary to the position in 1930-31, the amount had been almost negligible, the farmers through force of circumstances adopting the community system and helping each other. Mr. Campbell was satisfied that there was no other work offering than that provided by relief, and he was emphatic that the small amount of money earned on relief work was inadequate for the needs of many unemployed men and their families. WEEK’S WORK ALLOCATIONS. VOLUNTEERS FOR WA'ITOTA-RA. At the meeting for the allocation of work for this week, 112 Hawera un-

employed were placed, the £179 10s being sufficient to give the four-day men only three days and the three-day men two days and a-half. ' Volunteers were called to fill the eight vacancies for married men at the Waitotara camp and seven men signified their willingness to. go. It is anticipated that there will be no difficulty in filling the quota and word is awaited from the Public Works Department in Stratford as to when and how the men will proceed. Votes of thanks were accorded the Savage Club by the men for the generous manner in which donations had been made for Christmas.. Mr. J. E. Campbell, the secretary of the Hawera Unemployment Relief Committee, was asked to assure the members of the club that, but for their assistance in providing much that the families bould not otherwise have procured, many homes would not have been so bright. The following allocation were made: Hawera Borough 49- men, Hawera County 45, Hawera Hospital 6, Normanby Town Board 8, Ararata School Committee 1, south committee, Egmont National Park Board 1, Matapu School Committee 2. HAWERA RAILWAY PICNIC. POPULAR OUTING AT OPUNAKE. There was an attendance of nearly 400 at the Hawera railway picnic held at Opunake on Saturday; Though the weather was threatening rain held off until the time for return was approaching. Hot water was provided at the beach, where a large ladies’ tent was erected. At a marquee ice creams and soft drinks were available. General arrangements were in the hands of a committee of which Mr. L. Toy was chairman and Mr. G. H. Boesley secretary. A sports programme was conducted. Mr. Toy was starter, and the judges were Messrs T. Abberley and T. Blueman. Handicappers were Messrs A. Kearns and W. H. Lewis. Results were: Single men, 100 yards: E. McKenna 1, Bramwell 2, L. Toy 3. Single- ladies, 75 yards: Misses J. Loader 1, V. Grierson 2. Loco and maintenance, 100 yards: R. McNeill 1, V. Edgar 2, B. Martis 3. Traffic staff, 100 yards: A. Butt 1, P. J. Revell 2, McCaffery 3. Combined wheelbarrow race. 50 yards: Miss P. Toy and L. Toy 1, Mrs. P. Coleman and W. Peters 2,; Mrs. W. Peters and R. McNeill 3. Dual .relay, 150 yards:—Miss Loader and T. Kennedy 1, Mrs. Peach and W. McCaffery'2, Mrs. Boesley and G. H. J. Boesley 3. Girls, 5 to 7 years, 50 yards: Margaret Loader 1, Yvonne Lovell 2, Lita Webber 3. Boys, 5 to 8 years, 50 yards: Ronald Riley 1, Gerald Peake 2, Jim Kearns 3. Girls, 8 to 11 years, 50 yards: Molly Martin 1, Ruby Toy 2, Kathleen Sheahan 3. Boys, 9 to 12 years, 50 yards: Charlie Toy 1, Willie Myers 2, Jack Wilson 3. Boys, 13 to 15 years, 75 yards: Logan McMahon 1, A. Bevege 2, C. Lynch 3. Girls, 12 to 14 years, 75 yards: W. Loader 1, P. Loader 2, Eva Todd 3. Railwaymen’s wives, 75 yards: Mrs. E. Peach 1, Mrs. E. Thorpe 2, Mrs. V. Edgar 3. Ladies’ stepping the chain: Mrs. Edgar 21ft 7in 1, Mrs. Thorpe 21ft 3in 2, Mrs. Smith 22ft 9in 3. Cigarette race: Mrs. Smart and V. Kyngdon 1, Mrs. Edgar and V. Edgar 2, Mrs. Corbett and C. Gulbransen 3. Combined wheelbarrow race, under 17 years; Jean Holland 1 and Kelvin Holland 1, Jean McAsey and Gordon Eden 2. . Mixed three-legged race, under 17 years: P. Loader and A. Bevege 1, Muriel Corbett and F. Peach 2, Monica Seaver and Bob Seaver 3. Consolation handicap, boys under 12 years: ' Gordon Eden 1, Selwyn Beauchamp 2,. Bob Seaver 3. Consolation ’handicap, girls under 12 years: Muriel Corbett 1, J. Myers 2, Monica Seaver 3. ... Girls’ lemonade race:. Joan Bolger 1, Eunice Hurley 2, .Monica Seaver 3. Boys’ lemonade race: Eric Burke 1, Bob Seaver. 2. Committeemen’s race, 100 yards: G. H. J. Boesley 1, W. H. Lewis 2, W. Murphy 3. A competition was won by Mrs. Boesley with Mr. F. Dyett, sen., second.

BUSINESS NOTICE. I A grand leap year ball will be held in the Matapu Hall on Wednesday, January 20. There will be a waltzing competion, ‘free buses from Eltliam and Hawera-, and music by Attrill’s orchestra. The proceeds are in aid of the school funds. .. A final reminder is given of the gladioli exhibition to be held at Normauby tomorrow. This is the first, occasion that a show of this nature has been held in Taranaki, and . with complete train and bus arrangements the public will have every opportunity’ of witnessing the exhibition. A further attraction will be a concert programme during the evening in conjunction with the show. HAWERA RIFLE CLUL SHOOT. TRICKY CONDITIONS PREVAIL. . The Hawera Defence Rifle Club com menced the New Year’s activities on Saturday, when the vice-president’s trophy was competed for over 400, 500 and 600 yards. The conditions, were tricky with a fish-tail wind hanging between every shot, while the light was changeable. The scores were good, though not brilliant, the best five being; —

Hen. AGO 500 600 Til. E. Uttinger SC 41 43 42 126 J. Vinten 1 39 41 44 1-23 R. Shepard ..... 54 3545. ’ A. G. Robertson 3 o'? 40 42 1-24 R. Evans ...... 2 32 40 43 123