TO RELIEVE UNEMPLOYMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4503, 11 September 1930, Page 4

TO RELIEVE UNEMPLOYMENT.

(Concluded from page 3). irregularity of the New Zealand supply. Strilk.es and liold-ups of various kinds did not tend to give the buyers much confidence in the X.Z. supply. , Mr. Eiwood contended that New Zealand hemp had never been put before the English hand spinners. He knew of one time when they were buying Russian hemp at £4O per ton when they could have procured the New Zealand article at almost half the price. Mr. W. Trueman said the main thing that would assist the industry was a reduction in the cost of production. If the cost of production could be reduced from £25 to £23 per ton it would show the Government that the industry was prepared to help itself. It would be meeting the Government half way at the present price of hemp. Mr. Christie said that a reduction in the cost of production meant a reduction in wages. Mr. Trueman: It might be made applicable all round. All concerned would have to co-operate.

Mr. P. T. Robinson said that the whole trouble arose through a dispute in England between the sellers and buyers over twelve months ago which resulted in the buyers not attending the sales.

Mr. Christie said that at one time America bought large quantities of New Zealand hemp but New Zealand let seed go out of tlie country with the result that flax was grown all over the world to-day to the detriment of the industry in New Zealand. ,

Mr. Perreau asked the Union secretary what the highest rate of pay in the industry was and Mr. Robinson intimated that the lowest was 15/- per day.

Mr. Perreau said that he understood some men earned as much as £1 and 25/- per day and he was afraid that the Government would not think of subsidising an industry which could afford to pay such high wages, as it only paid 14/-. per day for relief work. Mr. Eiwood explained that the figures mentioned by Mr. Perreau might apply to piece workers but it had to be remembered that these men did not receive large wages all the year round and that when their earnings were taken over the twelve months the average rate of pay was never very high. Mr. Eiwood

contended that if the millers had accepted a sliding scale of wages some time ago when the offer was mmde the mills would be operating to-day and the men accepting about 10/- per day. The millers would not. allow the men to work on piece work. In his opinion the mills co-

uld (be run on a co-operative system quite successfully.

After some further discussion the. following motion was carried:

“That this meeting, representative of business people, Borough Council, 'Chamber of Commerce, Flaxinills Employees' Union held to discuss the unemployment situation and distress in the Eoxton and Shannon districts caused through the closing of the flaxinills, unanimously resolves to ugre upon the Governrent to subsidise the hemp industry until, such time as the Unemployment Board commences to function and suggests that the member for the district, lake immediate steps to Jay this matter before the Acting-Prime Minister.”

At tile conclusion of the meeting' Mr. Eiwood, on behalf of his fellow unemployed, thanked the local business people for the steps they were taking to bring about some alleviation of the conditions. They all appreciated wlmt was being - done to assist them.

The Mayor said that the business people were only too pleased to do wlvat they could to get the men back in employment.