WORKLESS MEN ASK FOR HELP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19238, 27 November 1930, Page 9

WORKLESS MEN ASK FOR HELP.

large deputation WAITS ON THE MAYOR. Nearly 200 men filed into the City Council Chamber to-day as a deputation to the Mayor (the Rev J. K. Archer), for the purpose of placing before him the serious position in regard to unemployment in the city. Councillor Annie I. Fraer (chairman of the Reserves Committee) was also present. Although the men assembled at noon, it was not until one o’clock that the Mayor arrived. He explained that the delay was due to the fact that he attended the funeral of the late Father Gilbert. The Mayor assured the men that an effort was being made to provide employment for a considerable number of men before Christmas. He promised to take immediate steps with a view to an appeal being made to the public for donations to help relieve the position. I Mr H. E. Barnsley said that The unemployed married men wished to know what were the prospects of their being given work before Christmas. Claim for Subsidy. The Mayor said that the Finance Committee had been getting together as much money as possible, with a view to work being put in hand before Christmas. The council was putting in a claim straight away for a subsidy from the Unemployment Board on the amount which the council had available. The subsidy would be paid on a rate of wages of 14s a day, but the council would continue to pay the award rate of wages. (Applause.) It was hoped to have quite a good sum available. The idea was to give the men a fortnight’s work just before Christmas. Mr Barnsley asked if the Mayor thought there would be sufficient money available to provide work for *all the unemployed. The Mayor said he could not give a guarantee to that effect, as he did not know the number of men unemployed or how much money would be available. However, the men could rest assured that everything possible would be done. Mr Barnsley suggested that a special appeal should be made for funds for the relief of the unemployed. Appeal to the Public. The Mayor said he would get in touch with the Rotary Club and other organisations at once with a view to something being done. lie would back up the appeal, and thought that something could be done. Councillor Fraer had told him that the Optimists’ Club and the Savage Club had already approached her regarding the matter, and something would certainly be done for the children “Thank you,” replied Mr Barnsley. He added that there were a number of visitors in Christchurch at present, and he had read that the Masonic Lodge had a benevolent fud of about £177,000. He thought it would be a good thing if some of that money was made available for the relief of unemployment. The Mayor said that he would be glad to discuss the matter with the Past Grand Master. With regard to an appeal through the newspapers, it was unfortunate that at present everyone was down in the dumps owing to the low wool prices. However, he could give them an assurance that everything possible would be done. Position of Single Men. On behalf of the single men, Mr P. Ede asked whether it was proposed to do anything for them. He said that there were many single men who had responsibilities to meet, and they were having a hard time. The Mayor said he knew the position, and would do what he could to deal' with it. It was a thankless task selecting men for relief works, but he would see what could be done to help the single men. On the motion of Mr Barnsley, the members of the deputation passed a vote of thanks to the Mayor for the manner in which he had received them.