UNEMPLOYMENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18807, 20 February 1931, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT

SOUTH CANTERBURY COMMITTEE. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE. A meeting of the South Canterbury Unemployment Committee was held in the Municipal Chambers yesterday morning. Present —The Mayor of Timaru (Mr W. Angland), in the chair, Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P., for Timaru, Mi T. D. Burnett, M.P., for Temuka, Messrs G. McKessar (Labour Department), H. J. Mathers (South Canterbury Power Board), J. Kennedy (Mayor of Geraldine), T. Gunnion (Mayor of Temuka), P. B. Foote (South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce), J. McCort (Mackenzie County Council), J. R. Snedden and W. Craig (General Labourers’ Union), A. Goodall and H. G. Naylor (South Canterbury Hospital Board). The chairman, at the outset said that under the regional scheme each local body was entitled to one representative only. He had noticed that the Hospital Board had appointed two. Mr Naylor “Is it not competent for this Committee to appoint more than one.” The chairman: “No.” Mr Angland then went on to make reference to a statement made by Mr G. Dash at a meeting of the Hospital Board, regarding the manner in which the Timaru Borough Council conducted its business. “I think it was altogether beyond his province,” said the chairman. “He should not pass remarks as to the way the Timaru Borough Council conducts its business.” Mr McKessar said that every week since the Committee had been functioning he had had occasion to wire to Wellington for subsidies, and the result had been that £333 had been granted. Under this subsidy, 255 men had been placed in work. “I wonder if people, who refer to our laxity have done as well,” he added. He further said that that day he had wired for a further grant to enable the Committee to carry on. He explained that under the No. 5 scheme, 20 men had been given two days’ work; 53 men three days’ work and 89 men four days’ work, making a total of 162. That day he had received the first application for three men under No. 4a scheme, which enabled farmers to take men, the Governmnt to pay 15/- a week for single men and 25/- for married men. The total number of unemployed in Timaru was 365. That was rather a big number when they had been able to place only 162 men. The chairman: “There are 40 men going on at Ashbury Park to-morrow.” Mr McKessar said that the outside districts might be able to place further men, some of whom were in a bad way. Seeking Work in Country. Mr Mathers said that he had a suggestion to make in regard to No. 4a scheme, and that was that Mr McKessar should be requested to furnish with cards any unemployed who might desire to go into the country and loo* for work. Some of the men possessed bicycles, and they could interview farmers personally and discuss terms. If the single men could be got into the country, it would ease the situation for the married men. He also suggested that Mr McKessar should display a notice indicating the number of men who were required, and this would avoid them congregating for any length of time. The chairman said that the Borough Council had arranged, subject to confirmation, to do further work at Waimataitai at an estimated cost of £2300, of which £I4OO would be for labour, the Council to find the balance for material. The Council could not go any further than that, because it would take them up to the end of their financial year, which was March 31st. It was hoped to put this work in hand on Tuesday next, and that would fix up the balance of the unemployed until the end of the financial year. The chairman went on to say that he had received a message from Mr K. Mackenzie (chairman of the Geraldine County Council), to the effect that work had been found for 80 men, and that was all the county could carry. He thought the Geraldine County Council was to be congratulated on what it had done. “In another week’s time,” said the chairman, “I do not think we wili have so many unemployed about the town.”

The Mayor stated that mention had been made in the Press that he had stated to a reporter that the Council had £6OO left from the Waimataitai job. He had not given any such information to the paper concerned. The position was that there was £278 belonging to the Waimataitai job, and a subsidy of £3OO had yet to come to hand. Mr Carr said that there was one point concerning which he was not clear. He understood that the Unemployment Board had given an undertaking that as soon as it got going there would be work for all men on the basis of 2, 3 and 4 days a week. The chairman’s suggestion was that the Committee should place men week about. The chairman: “No. Two, three or four days according to married or single.” Mr Carr: “I just wanted to be clear that it was the desire of the Committee to supply two, three and four days a week as far as possible. I hope the news of what the Council is doing will not lead our friends in the country to leave it to the town to do all the work.”

Mr Craig informed the meeting that about fifty unemployed had started that morning on the wharf on a two days’ job. Offer by Geraldine.

Mr Kennedy said that he had come to the meeting thinking that it was a general meeting. On behalf of the Geraldine Borough and the lower end of the county, he desired to report that under the No. 5 scheme, work was being found for 16 married men who were entitled to four djiys; for 18 married men who were entitled to three days, and for 23 single men, working a total of 57. The amount spent in wages in the Borough last week was £59/16/-. Under the No. 2 scheme, the £35 subsidy allotted in December had been used up, but a further £3O grant was now being used. Of this, £2O still remained to be used. Mr Kennedy went on to say that he was present to make an offer to take 30 men out on to a job. He would make it 50 if it would ease the situation. They were in the most fortunate position that they had necessary and valuable work which they could do without a great deal of overhead expense. If they could ease the position in any way, they were prepared to do it. They expected four day men to be sent, for it would not be worth while sending two-day men out. It would be expected, however, that the men would be provided with tools, conveyance and camping facilities. The borough and county would find the work, but they did not wish to be saddled with overhead expenses as well. Mr Gunnion said that in his district all the available men had been put on. The borough had put on 32 men and the county 34. His Council had met the previous night, and in the meantime they were not prepared to put on any more men from Timaru, for they had to keep their own men going for six weeks. “We have got Levels County men registered in Temuka,” he said, “and the Levels County is not doing anything at all.” The chairman: “They should do their own work.” Mr Gunnion: “It is hardly fair that their men should come to us. In future

we hope to get schemes going, and then 1 we might be able to help.” Mr Gunnion went on to say that the time fixed for meetings of the Committee was not at all convenient for country members. Some of them had had to start work at 6 o’clock that morning in order to attend the meeting. Mr Naylor moved that the offer made by Mr Kennedy be accepted. He said that experience had shown the Hospital Board that the drift was from the country into the town, and once the men formed town habits, it was very difficult for them to go back again. He added that the Board haa j found work for 31 married men, and they hoped to be able to keep it going. Mr Kennedy said that he did not want the statement to go forth that men from his district were coming into Timaru. They might have come from the Levels. Mr Naylor: “I can show you the books in my office. Men have come from all parts of South Canterbury, and have sought charitable aid.” The motion was at this stage seconded by Mr Snedden. Mr Kennedy suggested that the number be set down at 30, as he had originally stated. “The obligation is on you to relieve us of overhead expenses,” he added.

The motion was carried unanimously. Mr McKessar said that what had been said about the Levels County Council was correct. They had not made application for a single man. He thought a big county like the Levels should take some men. The chairman intimated that the Pleasant Point Town Board might be able to put some men on later.

Looking Ahead. Mr Burnett supported the remarks made by Mr Gunnion in regard to the hour of meeting of the Committee. He remarked that he was on the Ashburton Committee, and was in touch with the Temuka Committee. In order to be present that morning, he had had to leave Mt. Cook the previous evening at 10 o’clock. He suggested that an evening meeting would be more suitable for country members. Mr Burnett then expressed a desire to say a few words in regard to the general position of unemployment in South Canterbury. The chairman: “I do not think that is necessary, when we have nothing before the meeting.”

The meeting considered that Mr Burnett should be allowed to say a few words, and he than went on to say that February was one of the real harvest months of the year, and still there were 400 unemployed in Timaru. A lot of the work which had been found was of a temporary nature, and there was coming an end to that sort of work. He considered that they should approach the Government with a request that a general scheme of national importance should be put in hand in South Canterbury. He thought it was about time the head of the Public Works Department visited South Canterbury, and explained what was proposed to be done in connection with the Waitaki hydro-electric scheme. Part of this scheme was the locking of the three lakes, Pukaki, Tokapo and Ohau, and if this was done ahead of schedule, it would absorb a good deal of unskilled labour. Then there was the construction of linking roads. “The Government should take us into their confidence, and tell us what they are going to do,” he said. The chairman: “The Government is £4.500,000 short of balancing the Budget, so where are they going to find the money?” Mr Burnett: “My electorate is the cockpit of the river area, and I have begged the Minister to concentrate on river protective works. Because I was of the wrong colour I was ignored, and they have gone into city works of little use.” The chairman said that Mr Hutchinson, a member of the Unemployment Board, had indicated when in Timaru that there were bigger schemes coming along. Mr Foote expressed the opinion that the matter was one which the meeting should discuss. While they had very efficiently covered the position for the moment, all the work would be completed by March 31, when all the men employed on temporary work would come back on their hands again. Any step which would lead to a scheme being ready to put into operation on April 1 would be helpful. The chairman: “The Government has assisted Timaru very well.” Mr Foote: “I will move that Mr Burnett be asked to put his suggestion in writing, and that it be forwarded to the right quarter.” a The motion was seconded by Mr Carr, who said that he agreed with Mr Burnett’s suggestion. He was of the wrong political colour too, but he had been in constant touch with the Minister of Public Works to see if any assistance could be procured. As he had pointed out to the unemployed in the town, local bodies were gftting near the end of their financial year, and help was urgently needed from the Public Works Department. He had wired again only last week, but so far he had not had a reply. Mr Carr said he certainly thought the Levels County Council should be appealed to for assistance. Mr Burnett then moved: “That this meeting of the General Unemployment Committee of South Canterbury requests the South Canterbury Members of Parliament to bring under the notice of the Government several works of provincial importance that will absorb the unemployed of South Canterbury during the coming winter.” The motion was carried iyIt was agreed that In future the Committee should meet every second Thursday at 7.30 pm. Mr Burnett asked what the position was of Members of Parliament on the Committee. The chairman: “They are just here to give advice." Mr Naylor said that he thought they should be appointed permanently, and this was agreed to. Questions by Unemployed. Mr Carr said that the representative of the unemployed on the Committee was Mr J. E. Chiles, but unfortunately he was at present in hospital. In the absence of Mr Chiles, he had been asked to bring one or two matters under the notice of the Committee. One thing they desired to know was in regard to wet weather. Would they be paid for wet days or not? Another matter was in regard to young fellows who had just left school, and who were practically bread-winners. He had assured these young men that there was no desire to exclude them, but naturally married men would have to como first. The following questions, drawn up by the unemployed, were then submitted by Mr Carr:— (1) What about West End Park job? (2) What about Waimataitai Creek job? (3) What has become of the £BOO left over from the Waimataitai Creek job? (4) Has the sectional committee power to reduce the stated Government wage of the ruling rate of 14/- a day to 13/-.

The chairman: “That is a matter which should have been debated in the House."

Mr Carr: “It was debated, but all sorts of regulations have been brought in by the Board since. Mr Carr then went on to read the remaining questions as follows: (5) What about Saltwater Creek and lagoon. Is anything going to be done regarding the making of an

aerodrome, seeing that the Borough Council is holding 150 acres, If not more? (6) Regarding the South SchooL A little while ago a statement was made that work was to be dona under the No. 5 scheme regarding the extension of the school grounds. Is anything being done in the matter? . _ (7) What about Arthur Street widening, where the handrail is in the centre of the road, and where a car accident happened some time ago? It is a death trap, and someone will be killed there yet if it is not seen to. This is absolutely a necessary work. (8) What about filling in the drain from Lagoon Street to Saltwater Creek bridge? Three cars have already got into this ditch. (9) What about finishing the widening of Hunt Street, or the finishing of Hobbs Street? The following statement was also put in by Mr Carr In regard to payments under the No. 5 scheme and sustenance payments:— Single men, two days £l/6/-, sustenance £l/1/-; men and wife, three days £l/19/-, sustenance £l/18/-; man, wile and child, three days, £l/19/0, sustenance £2/2/-; man, wife and two children, 4 days, £2/12/-, sustenance £2/6/-; man, wife and three children, 4 days £2/12/-, sustenance £2/10/-; man, wife and 4 children, 4 days, £2/12/-, sustenance £2/14/-; man, wife and 5 children, 4 days, £2/12/-, sustenance £2 18/-; man, wife and 6 children, 4 days, £2/12/-, sustenance £3/2/-; seven children, 4 days, £2/12/-, sustenance £3/6/-; eight children, 4 days, £2/12/-, sustenance £3/10/-. From this it would be seen that the man with a large family would be better under sustenance than working. On the motion of Mr Foote, the report was received and noted. In regard to Mr Mathers’s suggestion made early in the meeting. Mr McKessar said that cards could be issued to men to go into the country, but under the regulations, the employers were obliged to make a declaration. However, such declarations could easily be fixed up.