THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 662, 26 August 1921, Page 5

THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM.

PROPOSED RELIEF WORK. DUPLICATION OF RAILWAY LINE BETWEEN PENROSE AND PAPAKURA. The unemployment problem is apparently not improving, but is becoming worse as time jjasses. torsome time extensive improvements have been in progress at Papakura in connection with railway works “and a large gang of men has been employed and the work is progressing apace, bar retrenchment is hinted, and we understand that the single men engaged on the works are . under notice to obtain other positions as soon as possible. With the object of keeping these men employed, and others who are already out of work to get ememployment, the. Papakura Town Board has made representations to the Minister of Railways to launch out on the work of duplicating the railway .line from Penrose to Papakura. That this is advisable is a recognised fact and the sooner the construction of the double line is put in hand the better it will be for all concerned. The present, line carries considerable traffic, in fact too much, and congestion is a main feature. This congestion holds up the trains aud irregularities in running to timetable are frequent. The duplicate line would overcome this difficulty and would be the means of Keepingdown the cost of running the\ railways, because at the present time, when trains are nearly always late, overtime must necessarily be paid. At any rate the Papakura Town Board has moved in the matter and has solicited the co-operation of the Manurewa Town Board in urging upon the Minister of Railways the advisability of putting this urgent and necessary work in hand. If the local authorities are successful it will certainly be a great relief work, and could be done at the cheaper rate of wages, and hundreds of men would thus be able-to obtain employment.