THE UNEMPLOYED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 547, 2 June 1933, Page 5

THE UNEMPLOYED

(Press Assn.

DOMINION CONFERENCE OPPOSES MARRIED' MEN'S CAMPS BOARD CRITICISED

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

Wellington, Thursday. The national conference of unemployed workers throughout the Dominion, which has been s'itting in Wellington during the last few days, has concluded its deliberations. The constitution of a. national organisation was adopted, and the new organisation is to be called the National Union of Unemployed. At the meeting there were delegates from all parts of the Dominion, representing some 30,000 unemployed. A provisional National Council was appointed, with Mr. F. E. Lark (Auck land) as president, and Mr. J. Claneey (Hawkes Bay) as vice-president. Th'e 'Niational Secretariat is to be located in Wellington, and will act under the instructions of the National Council. Mr. S. Vellar was appointed secretary, Mr. R. Hedgeland assistant secretary, and Mr. D. McLaughlan treasurer. The Dominion is to he divided into fourteen areas, each to have a provincial council which will elect one member each to serve on the National Council. Opposition to Camps The conference discussed the suhject of camps for married men, and condemned these on moral and social grounds, holding that the breaking up of homes was not in th'e best- interests of the Dominion. It was agreed to put up strong opposition against the introduction of compulsory camps. The conference also discussed the question of unemployment among adolescents not eligible for relief under the Unemployment Act. It was stated that the Government could employ youths and workers under the various relief sch'emes at a basic rate of wage if the funds of the Unemploy ment Board were increased by the profits from banking and insurance, and it will be a recommendation to the Government that this course be ■adopted.

Delegates firom. country ddstricts drew atention to the allocations in . country districts; these, it was stated, were from 10s to 15s lower than the city allocations. The extra work, as suggested by the Minister and the board, was not there, as farmers near country towns employed men under the No. 4 or 4a scheme. Board Criticised The conference expressed dissatisfaction at the methods of the Unemployment Board and at its non-com-mittal attitude. The board as at present constituted, it was suggested, should be abolished and the Minister take charge. The only cure for the present situation, the conference decided, was to pay the sustenance outlined in the 1930 Act, owing to the abuses which have arisen hy borough's and other local bodies getting work done under the No. 5 scheme which in normal times would have been done by workers employed at the basic rate of wage. Th'e conference concluded with a vote of appreciation of the services rendered hy Mr. L. Greenberg, of the Y.M.C.A.,, in extending hospitality to the delegates. A general meeting of relief work-. ers is to be held in the Trades Hall to-night when delegates to the national conference will report on the proceedings. A policy with' regard to married men's camps will also be discussed.