CORRESPONDENCE.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 34, 30 January 1930, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM.

(To tie Editor).

Si r^ —As there axe several unemployed in the borough, just now, many of whom are working class ratepayers, I think it would be a good idea if the Brough Council adopted a new plan, to absorb them. Now there are several men on the Council's permanent staff, many of whom fortunate enough to dwn their own houses, who could afford to be "put off" for-say a month to enr able some of the less fortunate of the community to exist and thereby relieve the strain on the funds of- the charitable aid to a certain extent. I have been informed on good authority that some of the stas of Council, although earning a good wage and in ■constant employment, are even supplementing their income by working in their spare time at the pictures. In view of the present state of affairs as regards employment, this kind of^, thing" is '' over the odds'' and should be stopped and preference sjiven to those genuinely seeking employment. At the last Municipal Election Mr Justin M, Power, who had my support and who contested the seat fox the office of Mayor, set out in one of the planks of his policy -his method of dealing with this important problem whicS seems to me to be a thoroughly .democratic Way of dealing with it until the Government is. able to introduce legislation in•connection with the problem, it being a national one and not merely local. Mr Power's method was to—(a) Set up a committee from the Council together withoutside representatives including a nominated member of the local Labour Representative Committee; (b) Suspension of* non urgent works until the winter months where practicable so as to be able to absorb more labour in the most distressing periods; (c) Oreate a fund to accumulate at interest, to lessen any loan, requirements for' purpose of relief; (d) Proper supervision to insure a fair day's work for the full award Tate of pay; (c) If necessary the Roster system to be introduced in times of severest stress;' (f) | Abolition of the offensive and personal questions required to be answered on tie present application form.

Sincerely hoping thjat something shortly will be done oy'the Borough Council for the benefit of those out of employment. —I am etc.,

LIVE AND LET LIVE,

[Upon making enquiries we learn that it is tie intention of the Boru-gh Council to fully investigate the problem of unemployment before the winter. It should not be sufficiently acute at this time of the year to call for any extraordinary measures on the part of •the local bodies. i&e Eoster system suggested in the letter is very well in theory, it. would be much too drastic to work in practice. With regard to any borough employees who may supplement their income by working at evening occupations, that is a matter over w&ieh the borough council has no jurisdiction, as a man may surely Occupy himself profitably if he chooses to work long hours after his regular daily work is dons. We would like to ask our correspondent If-' he has any objection to a member of the"■borough, staff being a member of tfce volunteer fire brigade? Personally^ we have not, but of course we may be wrong.—Ed.}