UNEMPLOYMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1930, Page 2

UNEMPLOYMENT

200 DEMONSTR ATE AT AUCKLAND.

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

AUCKLAND, May 1

When a deputation of 200 unemployed made a noisy demonstration at the Town Hall to-day, demanding that the whole of them be heard and not merely the executive, the police cleared the corridor at the request of the Mayor (Mr George Baildon). The men left the building grumbling noisily, but offered no resistance to the two constables summoned to maintain order.

AUCKLAND, May 1

The unemployed, - : who formed a deputation to the Mayor to-day, were later met by the Minister of Health, Mr Stallworthy. The Minister promised those who were willing to go to work in the country that they would have their opportunity 1 shortly. The Minister said an Unemployment Insurance Bill was in course of preparation, and would be submitted to Parliament. Provision was made in the Bill for its borrowing of money to provide for the first year’s operations.

MR VEITCH’S STATEMENT

SAFEGUARDING OF WORKERS.,

AUCKLAND, May 1

A brief outline of' some legislation which the Government proposes to introduce before the expiry of its term of Office, was given by the Minister of Labour, Hon, W. A. Veitch, during a speech in support of Mr A. Donald, the United candidate for Parnell. “I believe the policy of the Government will; eliminate unemployment when it is thoroughly established,” said Mr Veitch. “The position has become little worse since the crisis in Australia, and a good deal of money—New Zealand money—has drifted lately to the Commonwealth. It is necessary that temporary measures will have to be adopted to overcome the distress in the meantime.”

Following on the submission of the ♦Unemployment Oommittee’s report, he said he hoped to introduce a measure that would give considerable relief for the unemployed this year. It also was intended to amend the Safety of Scaffolding Act. At the present time an additional Inspector was visiting the West Coast Mines, and he would later y visit the other mining districts to report’ on the conditions of safety in with a view to reducing the- number' of accidents.

He remarked: l< lt is no reflection on the mine owners when I say that there have . been too many accidents. I am going to do all I can to reduce the number.” . "vb’F.....

. ;WORK FOUND';

WELLINGTON, May 1

When a deputation representing the unemployed who met yesterday presented a number of requests-to Hon. H. Atmore, the Senior in Wellirigjtoriy to-day,■. he gave an undertaking that fifty meiv would be placed immediately on rpad works in the Wairarapa district. -

SPECIAL CONSTABLES AT DARWIN.

SYDNEY, May 1

The Darwin police havje conscripted all the Government officials as special Constables and armed them with “Waddies” in order to', resist the activities of the turbulent unemployed, and the bank officials have been ordered to reniain within the banks and use their firearms if necessary. Communists have hoisted a red flag above a tent where • a majority of the men quartered in Liberty Square. The Government Resident has received a telegram from, the Federal Government offering to find employment for the men at peanut growing at thirty shillings a week until the crqp is harvested.

VICTORIAN RELIEF LOAN

MELBOURNE, May .1

An attempt was made in the Legislative Assembly to amend the Unemployment Relief Bill to provide for a supertax on income, so that a stamp tax might bo substituted, but an amendment on those lines was defeated by twenty-six votes to twenty. It is expected that three-quarters of a million sterling will be raised for unemployed reliefs.