UNEMPLOYMENT

Southland Times, Issue 21097, 31 May 1930, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT

DESPERATE SITUATION

HEAVY DEMANDS FOR MAINTENANCE

HOSPITAL BOARDS’ GRANTS

(Per United Press Association.)

Wellington, May 30.

“Unemployment is becoming so rife in the city that it is questionable whether the Wellington Hospital Board will be able to continue meeting the heavy demands for maintenance.”

This statement was made at a meeting of the board yesterday by the chairman of the Social Welfare Committee, Mr G. Petherick, who reported that during the period from April 1 to May 6, a total of 452 cases had been attended to. A which 127 were new and a total of 639 cases remained on the committee’s hands at the end of the period. Of these 175 were due to unemployment which affected 796 persons. Cash grants had totalled £571. A reference to the City Council’s efforts to interview the Prime Minister in regard to unemployment was made by Mr M. F. Luckie (Deputy-Mayor) at a .meeting of the council. Mr Luckie said the council’s representations concerning the relief of unemployment would be considered by Cabinet to-day and the proposals made by the Works Committee for relief would be dealt with upon Cabinet giving some satisfaction. It had been difficult to approach the Government owing to the unsettled state of politics, but overtures had been made to the Minister of Labour and it was expected that an answer would be received from Cabinet at an early date.