UNEMPLOYMENT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5004, 23 July 1926, Page 3

UNEMPLOYMENT.

POSITION IN THE BOROUGH. NUMBER SEEKING WORK. The number of unemployed in Paeroa has incerased slightly during the last few weeks. A complete record of the number of! applications for employment is not kept, but Constable McClinchy, who 'represents the Labour Department in the town, says that with the recent spell of wet weather a number Of unemployed have drifted in. The majority of men who are seeking work are single labourers. The Ohinemuri County Council almost daily receives applications for work. Mr E. Shaw, the" engineei, is doing his best to find work for as many as possible, but at present little or no new work is being undertaken.

The Public Works Department, which affords a great avenue for labourers, is now fully staffed, so far as local works are concerned. This week a double shift was commenced on the No. 1 dredge, near the Puke, This- change necessitated the employment of a number of extra hands, and it is understood that preference has been given in every instance to married men with dependants, the local unemployed being engaged firstIn conversation with the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) yesterday, it was learned that so far as the town was concerned it appeared that it is-most-ly strangers who are out oij work. However, several; married men living locally had applied for jobs, and temporary work had been found for them. The council was keeping a keen eye b’n the situation, and everything that could'be done to relieve the position was being done.

It is understood that many of the unemployed in the town are strangers who, having ■ lest their employment in other parts, have drifted to Paeroa with the hope df finding work. So far as can be ascertained', it is pleasing to report that there have been no cases of genuine hardship or families in actual want in Paerbja.