MORE MEN AT WORK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20278, 12 April 1934, Page 9

MORE MEN AT WORK.

Better Position Throughout New Zealand. ENCOURAGING SIGNS. (Special to the “Star.”) DUNEDIN, April 12. That distress in the city should be much less prevalent this winter is the view taken by the Mayor (the Rev E. T. Cox), who stated that there were SCO fewer unemployed in Dunedin than was the case at this time last year. This applied throughout the Dominion, though not in the same measure, Dunedin being m a better position than most other centres. The reduction in the number of men in relief, said Mr Cox, would mean less cost to the Unemployment Board, and the fact that many of these men were now in regular employment would mean more income to the Unemployment Board. This week another big business firm with headquarters in Dunedin has restored to its employees the full scale of wages that were cut during the depression. CHRISTCHURCH FIGURES. Steady Improvement in Position. Though the improvement in the unemployment position in Christchurch is not as great as in Dunedin there has been a very gratifying trend during the past year. A year ago the Christchurch registrations of unemployed totalled 4972, and at present the number is 4727. a decrease of 245. There are indications that this movement in the direction of more permanent employment being provided is becoming stronger each month. At the Returned Soldiers’ Association’s unemployment bureau the number of effective registrations at present is 597, and while it represents an increase on the registrations a year ago, officials of the association are definitely of the opinion that the position has improved. What has happened, they say, is that men who did not bother to register with the association a year ago have since applied for assistance, but a good number of men who were unemployed a year ago are now in permanent positions. During the past year there was a total of 1006 individual registrations at the bureau. The Mayor’s Comment. Commenting on the Dunedin message. the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) said that be was delighted that the position had improved in Dunedin to the extent stated. He understood that there was also a reduction in the Christchurch registrations, but not to the same extent as was the case in the southern city. “ I’m particularly pleased,” he added, “ at the reference made to the fact that a big business firm in Dunedin has restored to its employees the full scale of wages paid before the cuts were made during the depression. There is no question t that there can be no restoration of prosperity until there is a restoration of purchasing power to the people through higher wages. Until that takes place we will remain in the doldrums.” NO RECEIVER NOW. Wairoa Really Round the Corner. Per Press Association. WAIROA, April 12. A very satisfactory financial position was disclosed at the last meeting of the Wairoa County Council, particularly as compared with last year’s position, when the Government alleged that the council had not met its due interest payments and threatened to put a receiver in. The position shows that Wairoa is really round the corner. The cash balance at the end of the year is £3OOO better than it was last year. The total rate collection is £21,670, as against the collection of £11,990 for a similar period last year. Arrears of rates this year are £2482, as against £7175 in 1933. I Single Farm Workers Get Employment. Per Press Association. PALMERSTON N., April 12. Unemployment registrations at Palmerston North at t March 31 were 1109, a decrease of 141 compared with a year earlier, and 193 compared with March, 1932. In the last year a good number of single farm labourers have been absorbed. The Unemployment Board has decided to give sustenance to city relief workers for one week in four at a rate not yet announced. The men will be selected by roster, and the scheme follows the lines adopted in the four main centres.