MINISTER’S REFUSAL

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1933, Page 5

MINISTER’S REFUSAL

FREE TRANSPORT OF COAL Fon unemployed. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) CHRISTCHURCH- June 19' The acting Minister of Railways has notified the Christchurch Unemployment Committee that the Department is unable’t 0 carry'coal free, from the West Coast to Christchurch for the unemployed. The committee has , ; decided to approach the Unemployment Board.

In a letter to the Citizens’ Relief Committee, tlie Minister. ,j of Mines stated that the Department had authorised the manager: 0 f the State. Coal Depot, Christchurch-, to supply coal to the-.. Relief Committee at -bedrock prices. .

The Minister was unable to grant tlie request that unemployed miners be put on mining coal for The relief of distress. The Minister added that the miners employed in the State mine were not working full time, and any attempt to add to the nujnber cf employees by engaging more men at relief rates, would lead, to be suits which, would be far front satisfactory.

MINING COAL FOR RELIEF MEW • MINISTER OPPOSES PLAN ‘ , ; ■ ’ ■ CHRISTCHURCH, Junb 19. , The Christchurch Unemployment Committee, at its last meeting, sug-r gested to the Minister <vf Mines that the miners unemployed on the . West Coast should be put to work; at relief rates, to mine, coal for their fellowuhemployedi The Minister’s reply was before the meeting of the Committee to-day. The Hon. C„E. Macmillan stated that lie had already authorised the manager of the state mine to supply coal to the relief committee at bedrock prices. He was "unable tfy-.givo effect to the committee’s suggestion.

DUNEDIN’S PROPOSED FUND ;* ■ DUNEDIN," Juhe 19W There was a ■meeting here to-day, presided ovW -bW the Mayor, regading the. teliefcdf :.the. unemployed. :• ' It was decided to make an appeal for £IO,OOO for tlio relief of distress in the city,’ \ .