WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1933, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

ODDS AND ENDS THE UNEMPLOYMENT ROLE (Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, June 27. It was announced by the Unemployment Beard on Saturday that the number of men on; the Unemployment register on June 10 wag 72,518, an increase cf 2,416 compared with the previous total of May 13. Of the 72,918 on the list there were 5,802 who were ineligible for relief for various reasons, leaving 67,116 men a burden upon the board’s resources. Of these 67,116 men, 47,336 are employed upon farms and smaller numbers upon' farm camps; land improvement 1 and development; highways and b&ckblock roads; afforestation, subsidised employment; public works, building contracts; gold (prospecting, and other undertakings of a feasible character. Of the 67,116 men, it is estimated ’that at least 35,000 are engaged on work of ~,a definite reproductive and developmental nature in connection - with the Dominion s primary industries; ‘ J*,. - A deplorable feature of the figures is that no more than one half of the total unemployed are engaged •, in what may be regarded as reproductive and developmental work. '' No one cart pass through a- considerable area of the Dominion with out realising there, are various portions lying idle vyhich might be turned to national - account. The total numbers of unemployed^,since, the present form of returns : was adopted, shows the following monthly figures* September 3, 73,24.1..; October 1, / 3,59 G; October 29, 71,971; November 26, 60,311; December-,24, 69,281; January 21,. 67,865; February 18, 65,782; March 18, 66,652; April 15;68*255;■ May.l3, 70,502 and June 10, 72,918. It was inevitable that the number of unemployed increase in the depth cf winter, but it was hoped the efforts of the active Minister immediately concerned would have borne better results. - It was inevitable, of course, that the Coalition Government would be blamed when prices fell and. employment de- | dined; but the workers were partly responsible for tlie.. difficulties that beset the community-at large. Mr .H E. Holland/ the-leader of the Labour Opposition, and his colleagues, had been glad, enough .to associate -themselves with the United-Party so' long as it ; stood for big loans and their generous j distribution’. But with the absence of the- big Jonas and amalgamation of the United and the Reform Parties the Labour Party, for the time being at any rate, stepped jntp comparative oblivion. It is only fair to the leaders of the Coalition • Party to’ say tlr y both were .ready for the sake of. unanimity to give Labour representation in aNat-Jowal-Cabinet’.- The- 1 overture-was not entnrt'-'ineJ.

The fact that nearly half the unemployed workers ate not able, or not willing, to give - a fair day’s service for a -reasonable day’s wage is deplorably obvious. ; Aubw of' three of four days in different locations, and .with different conditions- Has shown this to be the case. The fact has< been admitted by, seasoned overseers, who have R tated frankly, though not openly, _ that not more than 25 per cent. of--th£. -unemployed trive a whole day’s decent,service, A. much higher proportion of, the men would give-good, service for. a larger wage, another authority stated; but they ..would nbt be liked by a majority of their companions, and they might meet with rough attention. . Generally the overseers are good observent men, but frequently they have to.cover excessive measures of ground. -