THE “OFF WEEK.”

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19011, 31 July 1933, Page 6

THE “OFF WEEK.”

HAMILTON’S UNEMPLOYED POSITION OF URGENT NEED. APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE. Many of Hamilton's unemployed will be faoed with serious difficulties next week, the “ off week," unless generous support Is forthcoming for the Waikato Time* Winter Comfort Fund and the. organisations which strive to make the lot of the men and their families less burdensome. During the last “ off week " 44 men were given a day’s work each at a oosl of £22 through the Waikato Times Fund, while the Returned Soldiei-s’ Association provided for 12 men and the Patriotio Society for 45 men at a cost -of £22.. The Borough Council gave employment to 261 men.

However, at the moment' the’ balance of the r Waikato Times fund has been reduced, to £8 10s 6d, the Returned Soldiers’ Association will hot be able to help much owing to lack of funds, while the Patriotio Society is in the same position. The association may be in a position to find, employment fob. 12 or 15 men this “off” week, but the Patriotic Society’s quota will probably be reduced to 20. The Borough Council may provide for the same number as last time.'

' Thus It will be seen that the position Is serious, and that unless people who are better off financially than the unemployed do not come to their assistance In providing work, or money to enable others to do so, there will be great distress In many relief workers’, families. ■

Ways to Assist.

There are many ways in which individuals can provide work for unemployed men. With the approaoli of the spring the present is one of the busiest times in the garden. Many men could' be usefully employed in the pruning of'fruit trees, roses and flowering shrubs, a work that needs an amount of time and care which few householders can afford to spare. Nevertheless to maintain production it must be done, so that the logical tliing to do is to give an unemployed man a .day’s work to get the job done. Now that ; the buds are appearing spraying is another most important operation. Then there is the final digging preparatory to’ sowing vegetable and flower seeds, and about the last opportunity for the planning and re-forming of garden paths and plots before planting. There are also numerous Jobs in and around the house. How" many times has the. housewife complained about the difficulty of keeping bare wooden verandahs clean? A coat ol grey paint would change all that. -In many cases guttering and piping have been replaced with new, unpaintbd material* This may be cheaper in the first instance, but in the long run it' is dearer as the material rusts more quickly. That job done would , save the householder future greater expense and provide much-needed asdistance for a ■ relief workers’ family. The wash-tubs may have been leaking for. a long time and the cupboard doors ill-fitting.

A phone call’ to 1969, or to the Waikato Times, 1876, between 0 a.m. and 5 p.m., from Tuesday to Friday of this week, and application to room 14, King’s Buildings, Victoria Street, from Sjaturday onwards

will bring out an unemployed tradesman who can skilfully rectify the faults,, and replace the rotten floor board at the same time. Those broken fences and gates can be fixed up in the same way. V: ■ \ These qre but a few of hundreds ;of odd jobs offering in every home which are really necessary and would provide employment for men urgently in need, if only, for half a day.' Donations to Fund. The Waikato Times acknowledges with thanks 'the following donations to its Winter Comfort Fund: Previously acknowledged £55 0 6 H. (4th.'instalment) .. i i 0 '• .■ * ;'v v ’'••?i ’- .. , . .. Total’ £56 i 6 TO date £47 10s has been spent providing labqur during the “off week,” so fhat thej balance is only £9 10s Gd. , • ‘ ' - ' ! ' ' The position is serious and the need is urgent. On that account further , donations will be most 1 gratefully received.