UNEMPLOYMENT

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXIV, Issue 8849, 30 November 1935, Page 2

UNEMPLOYMENT

DISTRESS AMONG YOUTHS IN WAIHI BARRED FROM RELIEF WORK MAYOR’S APPEAL FOR HELP A copy of a letter sent by the Mayor, Mr W. M. Wallnutt, to the Minister of Unemployment, Hon. S. G. Smith, on the subject of youths not eligible for relief work, was read by the town clerk, Mr E. C. Westbury, at the monthly meeting of the Waihi Borough Council, the text being as follows: "I am being approached continually by parents of youths and by the youths themselves, asking if something can be done to relieve distress in their particular cases. The position is that these young men, ranging, in age from 16 to 20 years, are not eligible for relief under the Unemployment Board’s schemes, and when married men find it difficult to obtain work these young fellows find it impossible. I realise that the problem is one that you, the Cabinet and the board have met with in practically every part of the Dominion and have endeavoured to solve whenever possible. In this district the distress is particularly acute for the reason that many of the youths affected are the sons of miners pensioners who are in receipt of penisons sufficient, in many cases, only for the immediate needs of the ex-miner and his wife. GRANT FOR WORK ASKED “In other cases the breadwinner has died, leaving the wife to struggle on under the ever-increasing burden of clothing and feeding grown-up sons who cannot contribute one penny to their keep. With the festive season now only four weeks off these unfortunate families are feeling their position keenly and I appeal to you for some assistance to tide them over the holidays. In the past the council has voted a sum each year for the employment of youths prior to Christmas, but owing to increased expenditure and lower revenue it is found impossible to do anything in this direction this year. If your board should be gracious enough to make a grant of, say, £l5O the council would, as before, find suitable work and the necessary supervision if this would meet with your approval. Your kind and immediate attention to this very important matter would be greatly appreciated.” Cr. J. J. Callaghan said the Mayor v/as to be commended on the action he had taken. At a result of -recent appeals to him by mothers he had, after talking with the Mayor about the matter, approached the certifying officer, Mr A. E. Lawson, but had been told that he (Mr Lawson) was unable to.deal with these particular cases. He would move that the Mayor’s action be commended by the council.

Cr. J. F. Robertson, in seconding the motion, said the Mayor was to bo congratulated ,on his efforts on behalf of the youth of the town. The motion was then put and carried.