N.Z. UNEMPLOYED

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1931, Page 6

N.Z. UNEMPLOYED

WOMEN'S NEEDS

(By Telegraph —Per Press Association)

. WELLINGTON, May 25Indications of the nature of his proposals for assisting unemployed women were given by Air Smith, when replying to a 'women’s deputation, which said the position was desperate and sought his advice and help. The Minister expressed regret that lie was unable yet to announce his scheme to meet the position. He had in mind, as a preliminary step, the setting up of complete organisations with probably two nominees of the Minister. These would investigate cases and compile information regarding the occupations the women were prepared to enter.

A spokeswoman of the deputation suggested that the committees should not have a majority of single women, who. she implied, might be unsympathetic.

At Mercer, the Minister said the women’s plight was the saddest part. There were scores of young women who for the first time find themselves unable to get work. In Auckland city alone, two-thirds of the women in the clothing trade were either unemployed or working short time. Many of them had no homes to go to, no friends and no money. Tly\v could not have young women sleeping out, and one of the big things to do was to devise some scheme- that will meet the position. He hoped in a few days to he able to make a statement covering the efforts of the Board no meet the problem of the unemployed women oi the Dominion.