TO DEAL WITH AUCKLAND’S WORKLESS
AN EXECUTIVE ELECTED It was stated by a deputation to the mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, this morning, that there were 5,000 unemployed in Auckland. The number was later referred to as 3,000. The deputation arose from a meeting of unemployed in Civic Square, and asked the mayor for the free use of the Concert Chamber so that the unemployed could set up an executive. Paring the course of the request a lady member said she came from Home and was amazed to find the conditions in New Zealand as they were. New Zealand was held up as a land of milk and honey, but it was very different. It was hard for the people in the country and those coming in. MEETING IN TOWN HALL A suggestion by one of the deputation that the City Council was using the position to pay lower than award wages, was immediately denied by the mayor. The request was granted and an assemblage of some 300 met at the Town Hall and set up an executive. It was decided that whenever possible mass meetings should be held in Civic Square, and that a register of unemployed be kept. An endeavour will be made to register all unemployed with the idea of the organisation showing its proper weight. "We want meetings as often as we can, to impress upon citizens the serious position we are in,” remarked one speaker. RATES OF PAY It was stressed that the organisation was not out for charity, but wanted work at union rate of pay. The following motion was carried: “That the local bodies be approached with a view to securing relief work, and that the Prime Minister and Minister of Labour be asked to meet a deputation of unemployed.” Concerning this one speaker said they must be firm on the rates of pay. In the past they had found that single men were started at 9s and married at 12s, and afterwards were put on contract rates, which were so low that they found they were only making Is 6d a day.
The committee was asked to bring down proposals to a public meeting.
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Bibliographic details
Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 15, 8 April 1927, Page 13
Word Count
361TO DEAL WITH AUCKLAND’S WORKLESS Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 15, 8 April 1927, Page 13
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