“TOO RIDICULOUS FOR WORDS.”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18206, 17 June 1921, Page 5

“TOO RIDICULOUS FOR WORDS.”

LABOUR OFFICIAL'S REPORT OF UNEMPLOYMENT.

(Per Press Association ) HASTINGS, June 16. “Mr. Reardon's statements that the unemployment problem is so acute in Hawke’s Bay that the workers are on the verge of soup kitchens is too ridiculous for words,” said Mr. Esson, the local representative of the Labour Department in Hastings, when shown a Wellington press message this afternoon. Mr. Esson added that after complete investigation only two cases requiring relief were found in Hastings. He had been advertising for married men but could not get the quota required. “It’s the same in Napier. I have no cases of distress on my books. There are no soup kitchen conditions, or anything approaching them.” The chairman of the County Council said the Qouncil had not discharged, and had no intention of discharging, permanent men. County rates had been reduced to a flat rate of a halfpenny In the £ all round because of the great difficulty experienced in collecting last year’s rate. The reduced rate was to relieve county ratepayers. This, however, did not affect unemployment. The Council’s work would continue as usual, and as much money would be spent this year as last. The money required would be provided by bank overdraft. He pointed out that the present position had been partly brought about by the action of some sections of Labour—for instance the recent hold-up of shipping, the refusal of freezers to work last Christmas, and delays caused by shortage of coal. Regarding reduction of wages, the chairman said the last award increased the Council’s expenses £3OOO.

The Mayor of Hastings said Mr. Reardon’s statement about reduction of wages was an absurdity, seeing that all men are working under an Arbitration Court award. In regard to the dismissal of outside staffs, the Mayor said that twenty-seven men had-been given up to two months’ notice, not with the object of permanent, or even temporary dismissal, but to give the new overseer complete control by putting on the men he requires.

Following is the report referred to:

A very unpleasant picture of industrial conditions in the Hawke’s Bay district was painted by Mr M. L. A. Reardon (formerly well known in Wellington Labour circles) in a talk to a Dominion reporter on Wednesday. “The unemployment problem is so acute in Hawke’s Bay,” said Mr Reardon, “that the workers are on the verge of the soupkitchen. The trouble is particularly bad there because the secondary industries do not . exist. Those that the district had are now shut down: The woollen mills, the tobacco factory, and the freezing works are closed.

“I have been right through the backblocks recently, towards Walrofa, and towards Waipukurau. Along the roads everywhere I have seen men carrying their swags—dozens of them. I have stopped some of them, and asked them where they are going, and they have replied that they do not know. They are heading north or south, as the case may be, inquiring everwhere for work and meeting with no success. If they start for the north they have just to keep going, and if they start tor the south it is the same. I know of one man who walked all the way from Gmborne to Palmerston North asking for work all the time. He arrived in Palmerston ‘done-up’ and penniless.

"The trouble is accentuated by the pessimism of the local bodies, which instead of keeping necessary works going are discharging men. At its last meeting the Hawke’s Bay County Council, which controls one of the largest and richest counties in New Zealand, reduced the rating from an average of about l|d in the £ to a fiat rate of id all round. At its next meeting the council will discuss ways and means, staff and wages. The result is obvious: the council will have to reduce staffs and wages.

“Hastings Borough Council at the meeting before last dispensed with the- whole of its outside staff, from the foreman downwards. It is understood that the workers may apply for re-engagement, but the probability is that many will not get back, and that those who do get back will have to suffer a reduction in wages. I have repeatedly argued against the pessimistic spirit. I feel that if our slogan to-day were, as in the war-time, ‘Business as Usual,’ we should create a new buoyancy that would be very helpful.”