UNEMPLOYMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16782, 11 July 1922, Page 7

UNEMPLOYMENT.

DEGREASE AMONGST RETURNED MEN. Speaking to a “ Star ” reporter this morning, Mr W. E. Leadley. secretary of the Christchurch Returned Soldier?’ Association, said that during the past four weeks the number of unemployed returned men in Christchurch had shown a decrease. A month ago there were about 130 men who were known to be unemployed returned soldiers ?n the city. This week the number was down to about sixty. This decrease was due to some extent to the fact that a good many returned men had been put on relief works. With regard to the general fund of the North Canterbury Unemployment Committee. Mr Leadley said that the response to the appeal for donations had not been too good .and if there was not an improvement soon some «.f the men engaged on relief works might have to be nut off. He trusted that business firms who had received subscription lists would return them as soon as possible. Mr Leadley said that final arrangements had not yet been made for the payment of £250 from the “ Poppy Day” fund to the South Wiamakariri River Board to provide relief works for returned men. The money is to be paid to tho boai'd on the understanding that it subsidises the jfmount £ for £ and emplov- onlv returned men on the relief works. The executive of the R-S.A. intends to approach the Waimarri Countv Council, the Riccarton Borough Council and other local bodies to see if thev will accept amounts from the “ Poppy Dav ” Fund under similar conditions.