UNEMPLOYMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1931, Page 3

UNEMPLOYMENT

12,000 REGISTERED

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, January 21

The Minister of Labour, Mr Smith, stated to-day the number of unemployed now registered in the Dominion totals twelve thousand.

The rules governing the payment of sustenance under the Unemployment Act, as already published were the subject of a deputation to the Minister of Labour of Christchurch Members of Parliament and representatives of the trade unions. Most of the points raised had to do with the interpretation of the rules.

The Minister (Mr S. G. Smith), stated that the rules would some into operation on the Ist of' February, but allowing for the period of inquiry provided in them, it would be possible to make the first payment of one week’s sustenance on the 21st of February. Mr S. G. Smith again stressed the point that the. primary object of the Unemployment Board was to provide wofk, and to give sustenance only as an alternative when work was not available. It was hoped that between now and the 31st January the Government, plus the Unemployment, would be able to present schemes for tlie provision of work for a large number of the unemployed. A committee was investigating work which might be put in hand in various parts of the country. It was also investigating the provision of accommodation for men. It was honed to take a large number of the unemployed out of the cities to relief works in country districts. To tide the men over the next few months, another Sub-Committee

was going into the question of finding money for expenditure of unemployment.

Mr Smith added that, as he was speaking the Cabinet was no doubt discussing that phase of the matter. The Minister assured the deputation that a most earnest endeavour was being made to provide work. At a later stage the Minister said that the latest registration figures gave a total of 12,000 unemployed in the Dominion. It was a stupendous task to find work for all, and the Government hoped to have the co-operation of the local bodies and of every section of the people in facing that immense, problem.

FURTHER £2,500,

FROM UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD

WELLINGTON, January 21

The Unemployment Board has received official authorisation to-day to spend a. further £2-500 under its second relief scheme, whereby pound Tor pound subsidies are granted to private employers up to 7s per day. Up to date the Board has spent a total of £60,000 under its emergency second schemes absorbed a total of holiday period. Both the first and second shemes absorbed a total of £50,000, and the Board also gave a further £IO,OOO by way of free grants. Satisfaction is expressed at the working of the seocnd scheme, especially since it became better known in the country areas. It is pointed '>m that tiiis scheme gives an opportunity for the undertaking of developmental work, although it must not be work that would be done in the ordinary course.

it is now possible for commitments under the scheme to be made up to the end of the next niorLth, and work under the scheme may be carried out until the end of March, instead of until the end of February, as previously stipulated. Applications for assistance under this scheme are being received by the Board in large numbers. •It was reported to-day that Local Committees numbering 110 had already been formed in various parts of the country, and their work was regarded as being of the utmost importance.

U.S.A. UNEMPLOYED

HOLD DEMONSTRATIONS

NEW YORK, January 20.

Unemployed groups, many of whom professed themselves to be “Communists,” staged demonstrations and hunger marches throughout the United States to-day. The police in Los Angeles, Danbury, Connecticut, New Brunswick and New Jersey battled with the mobs that were creating disturbances. A mob attacked, wrecked and looted a grocery shop, from which they took food, in tho business section of Oklahoma City. The police there finally routed the rioters with gas lwmibs. The police at Haverhill, in Massachusetts, had considerable trouble with rioters, who were demanding a dole. A crowd of the unemployed in New York City surrounded the City Hall and demanded “work or AVnges.”