UNEMPLOYED MEN IN THE STREETS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19248, 9 December 1930, Page 5

UNEMPLOYED MEN IN THE STREETS.

APPLICATION FOR THE USE OF THE BARRACKS. The City Council will ask the Minister of Labour (the Hon S. G. Smith) to transfer the Government Labour Bureau to King Edward Barracks so that the unemployed may have some place to congregate. This step has been taken to relieve the present congestion in Hereford Street outside the Government Labour Bureau. The question was raised at last night’s meeting of the council by Councillor W. Williamson, who called the attention of the council to the state of affairs daily in Hereford Street outside the Government Labour Bureau. He hardly thought that it was fair to ask young ladies to go in and out of nearby offices through the large number of men who were assembled outside. He thought that the police should be asked to see that the men disbanded. Order In the Streets. The Mayor (the Rev J. K. Archer) said that he did not wish to discuss the question, but the matter of order in the streets was one for the police. If any business firms were being inconvenienced, they should complain to the police. Councillor E. R. M’Combs said that the men were waiting for work. Odds and ends of men came in at all times, and as long as there was a chance of work, the men would hang round. Councillor L. B. Neale said that the whole trouble was that the building was too small. The men had to congregate somewhere and must have some point of contact. Councillor C. E. Jones said that he did not see why the Government could not use the drill shed and make temporary arrangements there. Cause of Complaints. “ There is a small minority of men who are supposed to be looking for work and who are making it almost impossible for a man to get into the place,” said the Mayor. That was probably the cause of the complaints They knew, some of them from experience, what had taken place at the Council Chambers. The real trouble was to know how to deal with the rowdy element without injuring the others. Councillor Jones moved that the Minister of Labour be asked to arrange for the use of the drill shed for the men to congregate and that an office be established there. In seconding the motion. Councillor J W Beanland said that the men were crowding round the bureau in order to hear their names called when work was offering. „ Tribute to Mayor. Councillor A. E. Armstrong paid a tribute to the work of the Mayor in regard to unemployment. He took exception, however, to the Mayor describing one of the leaders as a Communist. The Mayor: I would suggest to Councillor Armstrong that he tell that young fellow to be very careful of the company lie keeps and that I would like

to see him on his own in my office. I am his friend even if lie does not know it. Councillor Armstrong: He knows it. The motion was carried on the voices. WORK TO BE FOUND FOR THE SINGLE MEN. At the meeting of the City Council last evening, the Mayor (the Rev J. K. Archer) read the following telegram which he had received shortly before the commencement of the meeting from Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., who is at present in Wellington:— “Please inform council that I had a conference with the Hon S. G. Smith, Minister of Labour »id chairman of the Unemployment Board, this evening in regard to the position of the employment of single men following my previous representations. I received his assurance that work specially earmarked will be provided for them towards the end of this week. I think it is necessary that you take steps to conserve that work for local single men, or there will be a large influx into Christchurch from other districts.” The telegram was referred to the Works Committee, with power to take any action considered to be necessary.

SCALE OF PAY FOR RELIEF WORKERS.

PROTEST IS MADE AGAINST HIGH RATE. Per Press Association NAPIER, December 8. The Hawke’s Bay County Council today resolved that a protest be made against the Government paying fourteen shillings per day on relief works, as by so doing farmers are unable to get men to work on farms at a weekly wage or to get harvesters under two shillings per hour; further, farmers are unable to take advantage of the seven shillings offered as a subsidy on productive works. It was considered that relief pay shoulcl be made as unattractive as possible in order not to attract men from other employment. One member suggested that the rate should be nine or ten shillings per day.

DUNEDIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OBJECTS.

Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, December 8. At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to-night a resolution was carried emphatically protesting against payment of 14s a day for relief work for unemployed.

DONATION IS GIVEN BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

Per Press Association WELLINGTON, December 8. The Governor-General has given £SO to the Mayor’s unemployment relief fund.