“A ROD FOR OUR OWN BACKS.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18350, 22 August 1929, Page 5

“A ROD FOR OUR OWN BACKS.”

UNEMPLOYMENT BURDEN INCREASING. “We are making a rod for our own backs in Wellington by creating so many jobs for the unemployed that they are leaving the country in increasing numbers every winter to come to the city.” This remark was made by a prominent Wellington official to a ‘ Dominion” representative, who was making inquiries as to the present position. The gentleman referred to has had considerable experience in connection with the solution of the problem of reducing the numbers of unemployed, and he drew attention to the tremendous increase which had taken place in the last five years. He mentioned that the figures had notably increased since the City Council had brought in schemes of creating special works for using unemployed labour, and the effect had been to make the city act as a magnet to an undue proportion of the unemployed in the country. He was quite satisfied on this point, and was also of the opinion that these men, coming from the country and the east and west coasts, stayed at the smaller towns while they could get a job but once it ceased, they made tracks for Wellington. He further indicated that many of the ratepayers were getting restive at the amount of expenditure being indulged in by the City Council without consulting those who had to pay the piper, and while not able to give actual figures, emphasised the truth of what he said by referring to the very large sums spent on city reserves alone. “I grant you that the Government, and that a large amount has been raised in public subscriptions, but after all it comes out of more or less the same pockets, and the burden is getting just a bit too heavy. Two Months’ Figures. The returns of unemployed registered at the Labour Bureau at the loginning of June. July and August, show to what ■'extent the number of unemployed has increased. One June 10 the total was 416 <l9O with dependents, and 226 without): July 8. 487 <241 with dependents. 246 without): August 5, 603 <306 with dependents, 297 without). Having regard to the remarks made by the gentleman above referred to. it is interesting to note that the City Council is at the present time employ - ing 490 men on unemployed jobs in various parts of the city. Practically all the works carry the Government subsidy, which averages between 30 and 40 per cent. The figures given by the Labour Bureau together with the number employed by the City Council, make a total of well over 1000 unemployed apart from those wTio have not registered with either of these departments.