UNEMPLOYMENT CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1931, Page 3

UNEMPLOYMENT CONFERENCE

TOWN HALL, HOKITIKA

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30

A conference regarding unemployment was held in the Town Hall at 2 p.m. Present—Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor) in the chair, M. Keenan -.(County Chairman), J. A. Murdoch, W. Jeffries (Westland County Council), John Murdoch (Mayor ol' Ross), A. B. Spiers and G. Pamment (Mayor and Town Clerk,, Kumara), W. A. Johnston (District Engineer), J. McLean (Grey mouth), J. J. McKay (Harihari Farmers’ Union), E. W. Heenan and J. King (Hokitika Borough Council) and some sixty others. Apologies llor (absence were made for Messrs T. Cagney (Commissioner* of Crown Lands), A. C. Darby, A. Armstrong and C. A. Neville. The Mayor said the meeting had been called for the, purpose of discussing matters in connection with the unemployment difficulty ns a. result of a letter received from the Hon. J. G. .Coates, Minister for Unemployment. They could discuss the matter and any information given could he considered by the meeting with a view to providing some suggestions with a view to mitigating the preesnt conditions.

A circular letter was read from the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Unemployment and received. Mr J. Peake (acting Clerk) read a statement by the County Chairman as follows:

■ Gentlemen —The letter received from the .lit. Hon. the Minister of Unemployment sets out the position of the country in regard to unemployment and the urgent need for endeavouring to support the Government in its task.

It is not necessary here to stress the

local conditions which are well known '.to you all, and recognising the position and the general outlook, to endeavour to devise a remedy or remedies to meet the difficulties in the best manner possible.

The circular letter from the lit. Hon. Minister aims specially at the greater utilisation of the land of the district, and particulars are desired in respect, to the area and quality of the land available. As being the best authority on the question I have ask-

ed the Commissioner of Crown Lands to supply such information as is available on the subject, and those particulars, together with our own local knowledge, will assist the meeting to reach some definite recommendations for the consideration of the authorities.

In regard to works affecting the land coming more immediately under my notice, the following might l>e considered :

Swam]) land drainage, Kokatahi ;

Swamp land'drainage, Koiterangi;, Completion of swamp drainage scheme at La Fontaine;

Development work about the farmer- •< ' * owned Lime Kilns at Koiterangi and Ross for the benefit of the settlers;

Continuation on a larger scale of the land improvement and development at Westland 11 ospi ta I.

A similar suggestion in regard to land development . covering the Mental Hospital area. The boroughs under this land scheme might suggest special attention to the clearing and improving reserves for occupation and use. At Hokitika also, there is the question of preparing a landing site for aeroplanes. Although not connected with the land issue, the matter of opening prospecting tracks might be included in the suggestions to assist in promoting gold mining.

Representatives of the sawmilling inte rests have been invited to he present here to-day. Millownors are ready to employ most of the surplus labour in the district, if only they had the timber orders. The timber is here and the plants are ready. The competition by 'overseas timber is a seriour drawback, while another is the substantial loss of the Australian market. Some action from this meeting might be taken to impress on the Government the effect on the industry caused by imported timbers competing with the local product, while representation to the Associated Banks on the subject of the exchange rate with Australia affecting the timber trade, might lead to a review of the present position. With the local market helped by shutting out competing timbers and better fiscal facilities for the timber trade with Australia, there would ho an immediate opening for more men in the mills of the timber districts.

I take it that it will he for this

meeting to recommend the suggestions to he made to the Unemployment Minister, and on approval, with regard to machinery for tne conduct of such works decided upon, the local bodies

could attend to matters in their own sphere. In the case of farm lands improvement and matters relating to settlement, the branches of the Farmers’ Union could act as advisory to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and the Westland Land Board, and works could be carried out as approved. In, any case a- Central Executive might be set up for general control, and meeting at regular intervals take a close interest |in carrying out proposals agned to.

Commending the foregoing to the eonsid-iration of the meeting, and thanking those present for the representative a ttenda nee assc mb I ed—Y ours' respectfully, M. KEENAN. County Chairman. A report, re farm A. and B. schemes from the Secretary of the Local Unemployment Committee was also read and received. - Tne Mayor said the business they had to ileal with was more lor the improvement of farm lands hut unfortunately the farmers in the past had no* responded as they might have to the appeals to take advantage of the schemes put forward, if there was any land that could he broken up and so provide work that would prove of better advantage than clearing blackberries and growth off the roads. He would he pleased to hear any suggestions that they could make, »s it may lead to"something practical and that was what was being hoped for. Mr E. W. Heenan said the Westland Hospital Board would he prepared to takpilS; -to 2P men- for work ill clearing the“hrncl"there, though "not able to liikl additional moneys.

Mr Davidson said the Hospital Board had some 510 acres, principally forest land, which required manual labour lor clearing. II it were cleared it would mean a good saving lor tne Board and the ratepayers.

The Mayor,, invited Mr R. Thomas representing the Commissioner of Crown Lands to supply information as to lands available, suitable for work for unemployed. Air Thomas said he did not know of any substantial area of Crown Lands available, hut there were many areas of soldiers’ farms, hut the owners had not come lorwaru with offers.

After a brief, discussion the Mayor

l ry - - - moved—That the meeting request the Commissioner of Crown Lands to ex- ' amine the problems of the land in the district and submit a report of amarea available and suitable with a. vie. jto development. * This was agreed to on the voices. 1 Mr Thomas suggested the area of La Fontaine swamp drainage as one work that could he extended, j Mr Ditely (Araluira) aid he agreed ' with the remark that the present expenditure was a waste and a farce. It would he better if the unemployed were diverted to occupied farms under small contracts. Mr W. Jeffries asked if it were intended that the meeting should provide for their own unemployment or those from outside in addition.

The Mayor said the meeting had been called to get a geeimil idea for the provision of. some measure of useful work.

Mr T. O’Neil (Hokitika) said the farmers all wanted help. At present they were drained hone dry. The trouble with the unemployed offered was that farmers could not take, these men into their homes. There could ho a certain amount taken Tip on the farms. The cost of their upkeep is a big difficulty for the struggling farmer.

Mr J. J. McKay (Hariliati Farmers' Union) said his committee made a first recommendation that men who could make a living on a farm 'should go back to their farms: Mr Thomas had said that the farmers had not taken advantage of the suheine ; , .oilers, hut they were not a bite to 'do So.' They urged that the State Advances Board should have .advances made from the Unemployment Board, to lend to farmers requiring it and suggested that the, subsidy should he increased to 50 per cent.

| Air J, A. Murdoch said he was in a | complete log. He did not know what they were there for. The Government said they had millions for unemployment and they were licit able to carry out the expenditure. if that money was available here they would he able to get on with the job. They were informed there were no Crown Lands suitable, available. This was a special district where mining was the paramount industry. They should give private enterprise full scope. If the Government would view the mining industry as other Governments had done there would he a reduction of unemployment.

Air McKay raised a point of order that land matters were being dealt with first and the Alayor agreed that this was the right course to follow/ Mr Heenan said when Air Bromley, of the Unemployment Board came to Hokitika he made public the .scheme for work on the farms.

Air McKay moved that the Minister of Unemployment he urged to use his best endeavours to find funds for farmers prepared to assist the unemployed. Seconded hv Air O’Neil and carried.

Mr YV. Jeffries moved that the Government he urged to give effect to some practical scheme in regard to prospecting Last month 1450 pzs. of gold wercT purchased by the banks in Mokit-'ika. The meie.tiiiig should) urge added assistance being given towards j the mining for gold, j Air J. A. Alurdoch seconded the motion stating if a miner goes out and gets an ounce of gold lie is adding National, weatlh. The miner, however, wants a fair chance, j and he is not getting it in the present policy of the Government which is demanding heavy fees from the miner Indore lie can go out prospecting, it costing over £7 for rights that in 1891 he could secure for bs. He had a telegram from a miner who had been asked for £7 9 S for fees before he put a pick in the ground with instructions to. cancel the applications. It was within the province of this meeting to reply to Air Coates’ enquiry. He should he told that in the opinion of this meeting it was desirable that these irksome fees Should not) be charged. These fees wore wrong jn. principle and were blocking mining operations. There are places suitable For prospecting in Westland but the restrictions of the .Mines Department are harassing private enterprise. Mr Perry said the references to ; mining were most appropriate. Any development of mining would .do more for the Coast Lliiin anything else. Much of the money lieing spent could be hotter spent in prospecting operalions.

Mr Gfi'owcott said the was 'an old miner and would make one to go out prospecting. Mr O’Neil asked for information as to how the man with £IOO or so saved was placed. Mr Coles (Unemployment Secretary) said that each individual case was dealt with on its merits. There had been 5 or 6 applications for assistance to go mining.

Mr N. Warren said he thought local Boards had power to grant assistance for mining without going ito the head of the Department.

A'lr H. A. Battcke said the Government should he asked to throw open all auriferous land to miners and let them go on unconditionally.

Mr A. B. Spiers (Kumara) said at Kumara they were given full power to to put men on a claim if they were satisfied with the proposal. Their trouble was the shortage of the grant, that for rext week being £lO for 50 men. Air J. S. Langford said the Alines ■Department through the Unemployment Board were, inclined to be liberal if a concrete scheme was placed before them. 1 ■Loans on a £ for £ basis have been granted for substantial sums.

Mr John Alurdoch (Ross Prospecting Association) read a letter received from the Minister of Afines promising every possible assistance. Air Alurdoch said that a couple of months past the people of Boss had formed a prospecting assoriaaon. There were many places round

Ross worthy of prospecting the area between Rangitoto and Totara being a large one. What they required was good trucks as it here were good prospects, hut the country was difficult for access.

Mr J. A. .Murdoch moved that it be a recommendation to make the ground at South Hokitika suitable lor an up-to-date aeroplane landing place. He had it on authority that it could be made sufficient for present day requirements. The Mayor said a special resolution

was not required as the Committee wouitl have sufficient authority, Air Heenan said he was advised that the Agricultural Department was vesting the 'reserve in the Westland County Council. _ w&.

Air Bruce suggested the formation of a footpath between Cemetery Hill and the Hospital, The Mayor suggested the formation

of a prospecting association on lines ot that at Ross. Mr Warren moved that a prospecting association be formed. Air R. Whiley seconded, stating now was the time to go into the movement in a wholehearted manlier. The motion was agreed to. Mr T. O’Neil moved that it he a recommendation to the County Council to proceed with the completion of ionneeting roads alt Koiterangi., Secon led by Air W. A. Jamieson, w.ho also referred to the necessity for attention to pit-sent river erosion. Air T. A. Johnston (District Engineer) said in regard to certain votes for reading. no further information was yet to hand. Various tracks had been expected ito be carried out Jsith the extra petrol tax, but so far this was, not available, in reference to Koiterangi roads he would like details. The Farmers’ Unions should he asked to hand in a list of works in their various districts, especially roads needing to be pushed on, in their order of urgency. There was some further desultory discussion and then Air Keenan moved that an Executive Conimib.ee be set up ''-insisting of the Mayors of Kumara, Hokitika and Ross, one member of the Hokitika Bon ugh Council, the Commissioner of Crown Lands and the Chairman and fair members of YW'stlund County Council. Air Murdoch seconded the motion which was agrec^to. A vote of thanks to the Alayor for presiding tc annate-! the meeting oglO p.m.