WAR DISTRESS IN GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2285, 20 October 1914, Page 6

WAR DISTRESS IN GERMANY

THOUSANDS OF WORKMEN UNEMPLOYED.

■ Interesting details as to the offect of the war upon German industries aro given in tho following Associated Press message which was dispatched , from Berlin on August 27, but was not published (in the New York "Evening Post") until September 8:— _ ■ War hae brought in its train widespread involuntary idleness, in spite of tho millions of men withdrawn from productive employment; Factories are closing down or miming shorthanded and tho pinch of is felt '■. everywhere among the working classes. Symptoms of it axe seen m tho numbers of working men appearing on tho streets as newsboys or seeking other unusual employment, and.in the hoavy calls for assistance from the municipal and labour union funds. A picture of tho extent of the notf-

employment is given by the statistics of the Greater Berlin Employment Register. The largest labour union in the Berlin district, that of the metal workers, with 88,000 members, reports 11,000 unemployed, although some 16,000 members are with tho troops m the fioia. Of the 52,000 members of tho Truckmen and Transport Workers' Union, one-tenth are'idle. The .Woodcutters' Union reports 14,000 of its 27,000 members out. of work. Of some 7000 unorganised woodworkers largelj employed m the piano industry, only 140 are at work. Tho Bookbinders' Union lias 3300 of its 8500 members to support. Other branches of industry roport similar conditions. .Some trades, however, are affected in the opposite direction. Bakers and butchers are being advertised for, so many having been called into field service with the troops that for a time interrupted conditions in the supply of the city's bread and meat were feared. Brewers also are in demand, tlie breweries being in full operation to supply the increased demand from tho cafes and restaurants where tho public gather to await tho war news; and saddlers, tailors, and carpenters are working overtime to supply tho needs of tho army.

Sir Walter Buohanan, M.P., was in Oarterton on Monday, engaged with tho question of workers' homes for Carterton. At Carterton on Saturday the privileges in connection with tho forthcoming show were submitted to auction, tho publican's booth being disposed of to Mr. J. W. Cordingly for £24, and tho fruit and fancy • stall to Mr. N. lSouzaid for £1. There-was no bid for tho luncheon booth, and it will now bo disposed of privately. A sale of stock'will take place nt Lerin on Friday* Messrs. Dalgoty and Co, are the agoAts., ,