MEN FOR ODD JOBS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1929, Page 2

MEN FOR ODD JOBS

I'BLITTING 1 XEMPLOYMENT IN VICTORIA.

SYDNEY, April 25

•fudging by tbo sirups -.,f i>)formation that find their way into the 1'r0.;.-; of Australia from New Zealand, tin* • unemployment problem in the Comin■on is just as serious as it is here. Consequently New Zealanders are bound to display interest in tm\ scheme calculated to bring about a measure of relief. A now plan which has just been put into practical shape in Melbourne seems to be working, with every success. Even Sydney is interested—and Sydney is nut ai.iays interested in things that originate in Melbourne'. . The Melbourne scheme is Worked through the Lord Mayor's unemployment relief committee on which are representatives of benevolent and charitable institutions, the Trades Hall, the Salvation Army, different churches, Toe H jand similar bodies. It lias formed a section 'called the “odd job bureau.’’ It has branches in every district and suburb to enable unemployed men to register for employment in their own locality. The central committee has appointed a number of employment scouts, who, acting in conjunction wiili the central and focal bureaux, scout from house to house with the idea of securing odd jobs or permanent wo-k for (he men ill tlioir own. district. Unskilled labour is offered at 2s an hour, and skilled is offered at the rates provided in the awards.

Operations covering fifteen weeks show that in that time the committee secured 11.201) jobs, representing 2(i.500 days’ work, or a wage value of £! 8.500. at a total cost of £2OOO. But against the £2OOO expenditure were wages amounting to £1.500 paid to the eivtployniouL scouts, who themselves were drawn from the ranks of the unemployed. Thus the committee was able to secure work worth £18,500 at an executive cost of £SOO. At the present time the bureau is securing jobs at the average, rate of 1000 a mouth. The committee, does not chum that the odd job bureau solves the unemployment problem. It is regarded merely as a palliative, hut as against [lie sustenance system it compels the individual to work instead of breaking the main-spring of personal on duavouv.

A 'member of the committer id that nothing gave the work such a setback ns the backwash of a strike. Immediately a strike commenced the bureaux closed their books and roiused to register any more •rpplmunf-’ for emnloyment. I heir cherts v.eto confined to securing for genuine linen,'ployed at least three days’ work a week, and enabling them to cuvn enough money to buy fool lor ihemseJvVs and their families. Ho could say that !)S per cent ol the unemployed were, genuine eases and in many instances line types of t workers.