UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXV, Issue 18913, 26 June 1931, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE.

ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the South Canterbury Unemployment Committee was held last evening, and was attended by the Mayor (Mr T. W Satterthwaite), and Messrs A. Goodall, W. Hinchey. E. Sneddon, L. M. Inglis, H. J. Mathers, M. Maze, P. R. Talbot, C. E. Kerr and the Rev. H. T, Peat. The secretary reported that the number of registered unemployed was 604 In Tlmaru, and 1007 for the South Canterbury district, exluding Waimate. The secretary read a telegram from the Unemployment Board intimating that it had been decided to continue No. 5 Scheme temporarily. Mr McKessar stated that locally they had been fortunate in that they had been able to place men In work right away. Mr Peat: “Congratulations to the secretary.” The secretary stated that he had written to the Public Works Engineer, Hastings, asking if it was possible to place any men from this district up there, but he had not yet received a reply. The chairmaln „ said they were all very gratified that the Government had decided to continue No. 5 Scheme until Parliament met. He thought it fitting that they should pass a vote of thanks and appreciation to the Prime Minister for agreeing to carry on No. 5 Scheme as stated. Mr Kerr moved accordingly. The motion was seconded by Mr Mathers, and carried unanimously, A vote of appreciation was accorded the secretary for having his books up-to-date, and thus being enabled to carry right on when word was received that No. 5 Scheme was to be continued.

The Unemployment Board wrote regarding the case of the young man who was before the Committee asking to be allowed to work on the Unemployed relief work, through he had funds in the bank.

Mr McKessar reported that information had come over the air on Wednesday evening to the effect that the country was to receive a tremendous surprise when the legislation to be brought before Parliament for the care of the unemployed was announced. He considered therefore that the Committee would be better to wait until such time as information relative to the Government’s intentions was made public. The Commitee concurred.

A case raised by the secretary was that of a man who wanted work, whose wife was earning £2/10/- per week, less the 10 per cent. cut. He stated that as the certifying officer he had dcided that, so long as funds were going into a home to the amount of £2/5/- per week, this was not a case for unemployed relief. He considered that as long as people had enough to provide food and clothing theirs was not a case for unemployment relief. The Committee decided that the secretary had done the right thing. The Unemployment Commissioner wrote stating that the question of subsidising funds belonging to the Central Relief Society spent on providing work for unemployed, was a matter for the Government and not for the Unemployment Board. Replying to a letter from the Committee, suggesting that men be employed for a continuous period, or for a full week, instead of three days, and that they then stand down until further work was available; the Unemployment Commisisoner said the Minister for Finance could not agree to a variation of the rationing basis of NO. 5 Scheme.

Speaking on the subject of persons being compelled to carry with them evidence that they had paid their unemployment levy', Mr Inglis said he did not believe they should. He said that if this were insisted upon some people would require to carry a hand bag or a kit, in order to carry his motor-license, registration under the Arms Act, and so on.

Several speakers said there were numbers of men who had not paid, and as it was the only way to ascertain who had paid, it was only right that persons should have to, produce evidence of having paid. It was stated further that it was surprising the number both in the town and country who had not paid. Mr Hinchey raised the point of organising single men employed on relief works in the country in camps, or groups, in periods of one week in four, and that they be paid in three instalments -extending over this period. He suggested that representations be made to the Unemployment Commissioner to this effect.

The meeting decided to wait in the meantime.