PAYMENT FOR ORGANISING THE UNEMPLOYED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17879, 22 June 1926, Page 11

PAYMENT FOR ORGANISING THE UNEMPLOYED.

MR FOURNIER NOW BEING RECOMPENSED. The statement that he was getting “ a little pay ” for his work as organiser of the unemployed in Christchurch was made by the Communist leader, Mr S. Fournier, at this morning’s meeting of the unemployed, held at the Trades Hall. A “Star” reporter who was present at the meeting was later informed by a member of the. Trades I Tall Unemployment Committee that the money paid to Mr Fournier consisted of voluntary- donations from the union secretaries in the Trades Hall. It was stated that no money subscribed by anyone outside the Trades Hall had been paid to him, and that the amount was onl” sufficient to provide him with bare necessities. A Silent Crowd. It was a silent crowd of unemployed that assembled at the Trades Hall this morning for the usual daily meeting. Out of a total of between fifty and sixty who were present about five did practically all the talking. Mr R. N. Williams was voted to the chair in the absence of the regular chairman, Mr R. M. Macfarlane. Some discussion took place regarding the need for maintaining the organisation together, the chairman declaring that their motto should be “ each for all.” He said that they should consider the question of helping the females who were out of work. Another man expressed the opinion that females should be able to get housework to do. He agreed with a previous speaker that married men with dependents should receive preference. None of them, he declared, wanted charity. They wanted the right to work. Mr Fournier stated that the executive of the Unemployment Committee which met yesterda> r took from the Trades Hall list of unemployed all the men with over four children. These men would start work to-morrow. He claimed thAt it was owing to the activities of the unemployed themselves in conjunction with the Unemployment Committee that these men were being found work. The principle of unemployed women being affiliated with the men’s organisation was agreed to by a large majority on a show of hands. “You have now helped the committee, which will proceed to fulfil its function as far as possible,” said Mr Fournier. He urged all the unemployed to attend the roll call at the Trades Hall each morning. “We must have discipline,” he added, .“ and you must come here every day and report.” A vote of thanks to all who have donated foodstuffs for the relief of the unemployed was carried unanimously. Questions were then invited and one man asked what happened to married men with no dependents. He was informed that the men with most dependents were being given preference. After they’- had been provided for other men who had been out of work longest would be given employment. The Forces of Red Tape. Refering to complaints that some of the particulars given by men when registering with the Labour Department were unsatisfactory, Mr Fournier said that all the forces of red tape were on the side of those who did not care for the fate of the working class. Those people wanted the unemployed to stand at the door asking for work a little longer. The chairman stated that the rule that men must register at the Government Labour Bureau was being enforced. One man said that he looked for work wherever he could get it. He did not sjtay at the Trades Hall all day.

Mr Fournier said that the question was entirely one of relief work, which was tinskilled work. lie stated that he spoke with full authority'. One employer had called at the Trades Hall looking for “ two stiffs” whom he wanted as timber workers. There was an immediate and unbecoming rush on the part of single men, one of whom very nearly got a job. “ I had great difficulty in preventing him getting the job and giving it to an old timber worker with three children,” Mr Fournier kidded. The Newspaper Reporters. Referring to -the presence of reporters, Mr Fournier said that all the meetings were wide opjr.n to the Press, “ and, taken by and large and in the main, my experience is that they haven't treated us bad.” The report of the discussion at last night’s meeting of the City' Council, when it was decided to grant a subsidy of up to £750 for Imemployment relief, was read by the chairman. One man then proposed that a deputation from the meeting wait on the Unemployment Committee with a request that more men should be given employment immediately'. It was agreed that Messrs Fournier and Williams should wait on the committee. Mr Fournier said that he was doing the main work and was getting a little, pay for it. Four New Registrations. Four new registrations were received by the Labour Department's unemploy, ment officer this morning and about twelve renewals. On© man—a salesman—was placed in private employment. Employment is offering for two leadlight workers (permanent jobs), one specially qualified electrician (permanent) and one bricklayer (temporary). Absence From Roll Call. A notice outside the Trades Hall states that members on the list impair their claim to relief work by absence from meetings and roll call. RUGBY UNION GIVES £250 TO DOMAINS BOARD FOR RELIEF WORK. The Canterbury Rugby' Union, hav. ing this y'ear decided to allocate the bulk of its Charity Day proceeds to the alleviation of unemployment in Christchurch, a cheque for £250 has been received by the Christchurch Domains Board with the suggestion that the money be used for the purpose of improving the paths adjoining the Rio carton Road. In order that relief may' be given to some of the unemployed immediately, the Curator, Mr James Young, has put the work in hand with local labour drawn from local applicants. APPEAL FOR FUNDS.

Mr C. 11. Hewlett, chairman of the Finance Committee of the Citizens’ Un-

donations to the fund for providing work for the unemployed. Mr R. B. Owen, secretary of the committee, expressed satisfaction with the decision of the < ity Council, to grant a subsidy of £750 on subscriptions received for the fund, lie stated that he considered that a subsidy' would be better than raising a loan which would have to be paid for by future generations.

POLITICAL MOVE ALLEGES LABOUR MAN. Per Pres* Association. DUNEDIN, June 22. Mr MacManus. local Labour leader, stated this morning that a number of Southland men had been placed on the Balclutha-Greenvale job, which the Government state, was. the only' way in which it could place the men. lie contended that there should lie enough Public AYorks- in Southland without bringing Southlanders to Otago, and declared that the Government was making a political movd to force the unemployment situation.