ACTIVE COMMITTEE

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 89, 12 October 1932, Page 11

ACTIVE COMMITTEE

WOMEN'S UNEMPLOYMENT

During- the month of September 52 permanent, 25 temporary, and 20 casual positions were filled from the Women's Unemployment Bureau. Eight applications for subsidised labour were granted. ; The demand for labour, judging from the decease of registrations and the .number of applicants securing work, maintains the improvement noted in the:last report. The active-list now stands at 210, a drop of 15 in the last four, weeks. To the seasonal work of the" clothing trade and other/factories dealing with summer goodsmuch of the work' available must be attributed, so that the present improved conditions may /not-be as encouraging as they wolild appear.- •- ' '

The Sewing Centre during the past month provided work for seventy-one girls, thirty-five more passed through the cooking school, and eleven, more were occupied with rug making. Of these, twenty-nine found -work through the bureau. 'It has be"en possible for the work rooms to absorb all but emergency applications for rent, and £3 is all that has been necessary for payment without any return of labour.

4 During September 2363 meals were served and 183 week-end rations issued. Donations of shoes and clothing continue, and a fresh supply of' underclothing ha.s been made up in the workroom. Several cases of minor illness have occurred. Two girls received attention at the Convalescent Home, and one of them returned to her home in Auckland:. Letters to the Hospital Board regarding girls with defective eyesight received prompt attention, and glasses were supplied to several applicants. The services, of Mrs. Down were much appreciated and four girls availed themselves of her legal advice, The secretary continued canvassing for employment and also arranged with the Union Steam Ship Company for a reduction in fares for destitute girls. A series of Tuesday recreation evenings met with general approval. An average of 30 attended the three" so far held, which took the form of a picture night, a dance, and wireless evening, and a play reading.. .. After the- last, which was arranged by Mrs. Suckling, a number of girls expressed a desire to form a group for further readings, aiid Mr Towns consented-to act as coach