WAIMATE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19360, 8 December 1932, Page 4

WAIMATE

THE WEATHER. Following 26 points of rain on Monday, a further fall of 90 points was registered up to 9 a.m. yesterday at the Waimate Observatory. Showery conditions were in evidence throughout Tuesday till shortly after 7 p.m., when a terrific downpour of rain, accompanied by sleet and hail, fell in a shower which lasted for about 20 minutes. Fortunately the hail-stones were very small, and no serious damage has so far been reported to the strawberry crops, but on heavy land it is reported that a good deal of wheat and oat crop has gone down in patches. The continued frequent showers are causing anxiety to the farming community generally, with the exception of those engaged in purely pastoral pursuits, amongst whom the best season for many years is being- experienced. CRICKET. The following- players have been chosen to represent the Waimate B team to play Glenavy at Victoria Park to-day:—C. Smith, R. Stevens, D. Keyes, B. Whelan, L. Daly, O. Veitch, D. Wise, T. Stevens, D. Webster, S. Jeffs, E. Hicks. BOWLING. The following players have been chosen to represent the Waimate Bowling Club against Timaru Club on the local green to-day:— Nichol Cs), Robinson, Akhurst, Sinclair. Collett (s), Turner, Purvis, Reeve. Healey (S), Parry, Mitchell, Betten Granger (s), Brown, Lewis, Joyce

LOCAL UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Waimate Local Unemployment Committee was held on Tuesday night. Present—Messrs G. Dash (chairman), Geo. Manchester, C. Coventry, R. Eddy, D. S. Chisholm. G. F. Richardson, J. I. Hayman, J. T. Hay, J. V. Riach, W. G. Paul, W. Lindsay, and the certifying officer (Mr G. W. Brown). Secretary’s Report. The secretary (Mr B. S. Runciman) reported that the number of men on the roll was practically the same as at the October meeting, the total being 286, made up of 225 married and 61 single men. The total at this time last year was 215, of which 147 were married men and 68 single. Seasonal work, however, was now absorbing a few of the men, but owing to the somewhat broken weather the chief work, shearing, had been interferred with. Approximately 100 of the men had been engaged “over the fence,” and approximately £2OOO had been paid out in wages on this particular work. Men were also engaged with the Railway Department, County Council, Borough Council, High and Primary Schools, Hospital, Morven Domain, and some of the country schools. There were 34 men engaged under the 4A Scheme on developmental work only. The carrying out of ordinary farm work or seasonal work was not permitted under this scheme, and only commitments which were for work of a developmental nature would be entered into. They had received advice from the Board that men on small holdings working on No. 5 Scheme should definitely cease at 31st qmember, these ) men to be given work on their own properties, somewhat similar to the 4A Scheme. The assistance would be granted on the recommendation of the Local Committee, and with the approval of the Board. No applications, however, could be put forward that did not comply with the 4A rules. The inspection of gardens was now being carried out.

The chairman said that some consideration would have to be given to the question of relief workers on small holdings. When in Wellington he had discussed the matter with the officers of the Board, and it appeared that there was nothing else for it but to give them work on their owrv,»farms, as after December 31st no more work could be approved for these men under Scheme No. 5.

Mr Riach said the work done would have to be developmental. Mr Dash replied that the cost of tours of inspection to see the class of work being done would be the difficulty in regard to this. In reply to Mr Hay, the chairman said that probably the men would have to be given the money straight out, which would probably amount to about £1 per week per man. There were 26 such workers at present on the Waimate list, who were being' given work to the extent of about 12/6 per week. The certifying officer, on being asked, said that under the new regulations Local Committees were empowered to grant amounts with a maximum of 25/- per week to men on small holdings, in order to facilitate the working of these farms, in preference to the occupiers going out to employment onlarger areas.

Mr Riach said that it would probably be best to treat each case on its merits. It appeared that there would be no lack of applicants. Mr Dash said that the Board's officials had complimented Waimate on the interpretation placed on the regulations, They wished that the money available should be treated as each member’s private property, and made to go as far as possible. The Committee would probably do best to each case as it came along. Mr Manchester said that there were no applications before the meeting, and he moved that the Executive Committee be empowered to deal with applications coming forward. Mr Eddy said that some men were able to put their case in an able manner, and others were naturally shy, and thus could not put their positions forward to their own advantage. Mr Manchester’s motion was carried. An individual application was received for assistance, and after discussion in committee it was reported that an allowance of 15/- per week for three months from January Ist was granted under the new regulations, the applicant to stay on his own farm. The chairman said he thought that a previous resolution should be reiterated to the Board, suggesting that during the month of December the men engaged on farms should be taken off. There were prolific crops of hay, etc., and farmers should be compelled to engage their own requirements for seasonal labour. Mr Manchester said that last year the farmers were combining to do their own harvesting, but it was pointed out that last season the crops were very bad, whereas at present the indications for good crops were probably never better. Mr Brown said it was within the power of the Committee to withdraw (every man from the “over the fence” scheme, immediately. Mr Dash said that it would be hardly fair to ask the Committee to take the

responsibility, which should be taken by the Board. The secretary said that the difficulty would be in regard to the men resident in country districts working on neighbouring farms. Mr Chisholm said that he was in favour of Mr Dash’s resolution, and thought the position should be made a national one and not made to apply to one district alone. Mr Richardson said that he was afraid that if the labour was withdrawn, a good deal of essential work on farms would not be done, as the farmers could not afford to pay for it. Mr Eddy remarked that probably a good deal of the work started would remain unfinished, and amounts already expended would be wasted. There was no resolution forthcoming, and the discussion lapsed. Christmas Holidays. Mr Dash pointed out that in Waimate, unfortunately, the standdown week fell during the Christmas holidays. The Minister had been communicated with, and a telegraphic reply had been received stating that the regular stand-down week should be put forward. If this were done, the speaker would suggest that an appeal should be made to the public that as much work as possible should be provided to give the men a little extra money for the Christmas season. Mr Coventry moved that the offer of the Minister to put the stand-down week forward a Week, so as to fail the week before Christmas week, be accepted, and that a public appeal be made for extra work for the men. The motion was carried A further circular was received from the Board requesting the' erf of cement of the cultivation of garden plots by unemployed workers for the production of vegetables. The secretary stated that the inspection of local unemployed gardens was at present being carried out. An application from the Glenavy School Committee for men to do treetopping work, etc., on their grounds was granted, subject to the applicants taking out special insurance for the workers. The Unemployment Board notified that in future men suffering from special disabilities likely to affect their period of recovery in case of accident would require to “contract out” for insurance. The secretary was instructed to make inquiries regarding men on the list known to come within the scope of the new regulations. Mr Eddy said that in other places appeals had been made to provide extra food for deserving cases. Sheep, butter, etc., were cheap, and he felt sure that a good response would result if the people were approached. He would move that an appeal be made. Mr Manchester said that if any special cases were known and an appeal made to any of the benevolent societies their needs would be met. Mr Eddy remarked that with the amounts available as wages, probably the whole of the unemployed would be eligible to make such an application. Mr Paul said that clothes were an urgent necessity in many cases, and the supplies coming to hand were gradually diminishing. It was resolved to launch an appeal for donations of food or clothing. In order to make the appeal on as broad lines as possible, it it was decided to ask all benevolent institutions to combine. • The Mayor stated that all donations received by ■ him during the year had been distributed by Mr Paul, who undertook the distribution in the present case.