UNEMPLOYMENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19943, 30 October 1934, Page 12

UNEMPLOYMENT

POSITION OF YOUNG PEOPLE ASSISTANCE DESIRED A meeting of the Timaru Unemployment Committee was held last night. Present—The Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) chairman, Messrs R. B. Hart, E. G. Cliffen, C. E. Kerr, H. J. Mathers, J. McCort, J. G. Leekie, G. T. Koller and the Rev. Father Murphy, S.M. Intermittent Workers. In reply to a letter from tne Committee regarding the supply of boots to a certain number of intermittent workers, the Commissioner of Unemployment stated that the matter had been considered from time to time, and it had been decided that boots be not issued to these men. Mr Leekie remarked that the answer was a very unsatisfactory one. Position of l’oung People. The Minister of Employment (Hon. J. A. Young) replying to a letter from the committee urging that an additional sum be provided from the Unemployment Fund to be used at the discretion of the committee in providing relief to deserving cases of relief workers who have dependents between the ages of 16 and 20 years, said the representations had been fully considered, but it was regretted that the present amount of financial assistance provided for Timaru was the maximum practicable, and no further provision was possible in the meantime. The Board pointed out that the concession recently granted whereby children over the age of 16 years and still attending school, and also children physically or mentally unfit, might be classed as dependents, was as far as the Board considered it could reasonably go with dependent children over the age of 16 years. At the same time the Board fully realised that where children over 16 years of age were unable to obtain employment, difficulties were presented, but he had been informed that the position was to some extent compensated for by reason of the fact that the Board did not take into account the earnings of dependent children under 16 years of age when determining the amount of ordinary relief to which a worker might be entitled. Mr Mathers remarked that while in Wellington, he had discussed the matter with a member of the Board, who had said that he had received a copy of the rules under which the English scheme was operating, and in these some provision was made for children between the ages of 16 and 20. He w’as going into the question fully. Mr Leekie said that he had seen where the Government had been able to find money to increase the salaries of members of the Unemployment Board, and if they could do that, they could do something to help the unfortunate young people. He thought it was an insult to the rising generation in New Zealand to hand it out to them in the way that was being done. The young people had to be fed and clothed, and the parents should receive some assistance. Sitting as a committee, they were simply tools in the hands of the Unemployment Board, who were having their salaries increased. but were doing nothing for the unfortunate young people. The chairman said that such argument would not yet them very far. He realised that it was a great hardship, and it would be gratifying if they could do something.

Father Murphy said he thought they should reply stating that they still regarded the position as unsatisfactory, and suggesting that the Board should adopt the English system and provide additional work for the parents. A motion to this effect was carried unanimously. In reply to a question, the secretary said that a list of dependents between 16 and 20 had been taken out for Timaru, the number being 107. The list had been handed to the Child Welfare Officer, who had indicated his willingness to assist. Discussion ensued regarding the placing of boys on farms, Mr Leekie stating that the wages offered by farmers was proving the stumbling block. The secretary said that the Labour Bureau was willing to co-operate in every way possible in an endeavour to place boys on farms. If the usual channels failed, he was positive they could fill the vacancies. Without the aid of the unemployment scheme, they had been successful in placing boys at wages varying from 10/- to 25/- a week. It was decided to write to the Farmers’ Union in an endeavour to seek their co-operation in placing boys. Men From Waitaki. A question was asked as to how many men from Waitaki had registered on the books, the secretary stating that the number was not great. Mr Mathers said that the number of men who had gone from Waitaki to other work had been influenced by family reasons. Mr Leekie referred to what he described as shocking treatment of Public Works employees. He said that the men at Te Anau were paid 2d a yard and were charged 2/6 or 5/- a week for the hire of a tent. It was because of such conditions that he had previously moved a motion that there should be standard rates of pay on Public Works jobs. The men were not being treated fairly and squarely at all.