UNEMPLOYED TOTAL BECOMES BIGGER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18187, 21 June 1927, Page 6

UNEMPLOYED TOTAL BECOMES BIGGER.

CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE TO PUT ON MORE MEN. The Citizens’ Unemployment Committee met yesterday; present—The Mayor (the Rev J. K. Archer), who presided, the Rev Dr Kennedy, the Rev F. Rule, Canon J. F. Coursey, Mrs J. W. Roberts, Mrs 11. F. Ilerbert, Messrs D. G. Sullivan, M.P., E. If. Andrews, A. R. Galbraith. 11. Worrall, J. S. Barnett, J. Young. E. G. Queree, 11. T. Armstrong, M.P., W. E. Leadley, J. W. Beanland, R. B. Owen, W. 11. Winsor and F. A. Grant (secretary).

The Mayor reported that the Christ’s College-Boys’ High School match would be played on the Christ's College ground on July 2. No charge would be made for admission and no collection would be taken up, the Rev E. C. Crosse had informed him. A letter was received from the Prime Minister setting out the conditions under which the Government would subsidise relief work. The Mayor said that the Government would now subsidise loan money up to 50 per cent of the expenditure in labour.

Mr Armstrong, said that the proposals were complicated. The Mayor said that the returns showed the position to be growing more serious.

Mr Armstrong said that figures supplied by Mr A. R. Galbraith, the City Engineer, revealed that it would take £33,000 to carry the present unemployed over the next sixteen w&eks. Mr Galbraith said that there were now 420 men to provide for, and the peak would not be reached until July. He said that the necessary sum of £33,000 might be secured by raising £II,OOO through public subscriptions, and the City Council and Government subsidies would provide the other £22,000. If the Government were to subsidise, the public subscriptions in addition to the City Council’s contribution the public need be called on for only half of £II,OOO.

After a lengthy discussion, the matter was referred to the Finance Committee to obtain further information regarding the subsidy'. Mr Galbraith said that he hoped to be able to employ 150 men on water reticulation w’ork next month.

The Mayor remarked that this would mean considerable relief.

Mr Winsor said that it would be disastrous if the roads were opened up before the pipes were available. It was reported that eighty men were employed on relief works approved by the committee.

The Finance Committee reported that it had been agreed to subsidise contributions received by the relief depot. There was £315 in hand, it was stated.

Mr Winsor said that £231 had been received at the depot. Mr Andrews said that £4OO would have to be paid out in wages at the end of the week.

It was decided to take on an additional sixty men this week. Mr Leadley suggested that “ community sings ” might provide considerable relief. They had caught on in Auckland. Up there as much as £3O a day was coming in from this source. The Mayor said that he would call a meeting of musical conductors in connection with the matter.

On the suggestion of Canon Coursey, it was decided, to ask the Radio Broadcasting Company for permission to broadcast a speech on unemployment. Mrs Herbert stated that 135 families were receiving daily relief at the depot. Great quantities of focftl were being distributed. Women assistants were working from morning until night. Two more rooms had been secured. She gave particulars of certain cases.- -One family, which had come under her notice, had lived for three days on potatoes only. The East Christchurch School Committee wrote advising that £25 had been allocated for the improvement of the school playground, and asking for a subsidy of £25 on the understanding that unemployed labour would be used. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee. A letter was received from the Ilagley Golf Club stating that it had decided to donate £25 to the unemployment fund. The club asked that the money be spent on the gardens and reserves, the subsidy to be spent as the committee thought fit. The Canterbury Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association wrote advising that a street collection would be organised as suggested. The problem of a works programme was discussed, but it was decided to hold the matter over until the next meeting. Mr Queree reported that the total unemployed was 339 (188 men with 550 dependents, 151 single). The total number of men employed on. Citizens’ Committee relief works was 84, made up as follows:—Under Mr Galbraith, River Road, Dallington, 20; Stapleton’s Road, 8; Kearney’s Road, 6; Cemetery Road, 5; Eastern Terrace, 8 ; Fifield Terrace, 6; Ashgrove Terrace, 5; under Mr Young on Reserves Department, 20.