FIT AND UNEMPLOYED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 85, 7 October 1938, Page 6

FIT AND UNEMPLOYED

MEN AT AUCKLAND

SAID TO BE HUNDREDS

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, October 6.

It is very clear that there are many hundreds of fit men in Auckland who are out of employment and who, although either registered with the Government Labour Bureau or placement service,- are unable to obtain

work

Visits made to both these offices in the past two days revealed that a steady stream of men called throughout the period seeking work in consequence of a statement made by* the Minister of Employment, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, in Wellington on Tuesday to the effect that there was no unemployment in New Zealand of physically fit men and women, and if there were any out of a job and able to work he would place them in employment in 24 hours.

Inquiries among men who made application for work because of Mr. Armstrong's statement revealed that no employment was offered them, nor did the Department hold out any definite prospects of work in the near future.

Disappointment was fxeely expressed among the men, and sometimes the cimicism made was forceful. Officials of the Department refused .to comment on the position or to give any information, but the numbers of men at the counters and who crowded the vestibules throughout Wednesday and today sufficiently indicated the position, apart from the outspoken remarks made by many of them.