THE UNEMPLOYED

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1929, Page 3

THE UNEMPLOYED

GOVERNMENT PLANS,

TO COPE WITH FOUR THOUSAND

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

WELLINGTON, October 7

A scheme to absorb approximately half of the total number of the registered unemployed has been completed by the Cabinet Committee in charge of '“unemployment. The relief, scheme, according to an announcement by Sir Joseph Ward this afternoon, will enable 1844 men to be engaged as from to-day. The Prime Minister said that the total registration received was 3709. Work should be provided by the Public Works Department on roads; by the Forestry Department on thinning and other jobs; by the Railway Department on the worshops at Otahuhu. Hutt, Addington and Hillside, and also on railway duplication; by the Lauds Department on drainage; and by the Department. of Agriculture on stumping and cleaning.,. The South Island Main Trunk railway, he said,- will absorb 54 men fit Wharanui. . . .............. .

•Under the scheme,provision is made for drawing the men from those dis tricts to. which the- locality .of the relief work is nearest.

The (districts embraced in the scheme are: North Auckland, Auckland!. Hamilton (natives), Gisborne Napier, Wanganui, Palmerston. North Wellington, Nelson and Marlborough. Christchurch, Timaru, O.amaru, Dunedin., and Southland. The number of men to be taken on vary from 10 men to 150. The average group will bo about 50. The number of men shown in each case is necessarily the full number that can be taken on the particular work, and not the full number that are offering for it.

The Relief Committee, however, are of the opinion that the position can lie adequately met by the engagement of the 1834 men mentioned. The Committee are also of opinion that desirable for financial provision to be made for the employment of up to about 4RGO men after the end of the first month.

DUNEDIN RUSH. OVER 5(10 MEN. - • • _ .., -fr ~•••* DUNEDIN, October 7. During the past week, 532 unemployed have registered at the Government Labour’Bureau, compared with 181 for the previous period. Of. the last registrations, 480 reside in Dunedin and 52 in the" neighbouring districts. The great majority are labourers, fit for heavy work, but there are clerks, motor drivers, shop assistants, and storemen also included’in tlici'registration. Of those fit for heavy 7 work, ~244 are married and 192 single. " The applicants for light occupations consist of 34 married and 10 single

men. During tlie week 27 men were placed on public works.