AUCKLAND’S IDLE ARMY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 275, 10 February 1928, Page 8

AUCKLAND’S IDLE ARMY

GOVERNMENT TO HELP FARMING AND FORESTS Press Association. WELLINGTON, To-da*. The Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, has made the following statement regarding unemployment in Auckland: "The unemployment situation at Auckland has been receiving specie] attention with a view to endeavouring to ascertain the actual number o( unemployed and what relief could be given to many of those in search at ■ employment. Varying estimates have been given as to the exact number of unemployed, and until the labour bureaux are made full use of for the registration of those desMig work, no definite data can be t> pected as to the true position. That there is a large number of unemployed in Auckland is not denied, bet there is reason to believe that it has not assumed such proportions as hes been stated in some channels. “However, with a view to assisting the position in Auckland, instructions have been given for a number of additional works to be put in hand immediately, which should materially reduce the number of men actually out of work in the city. The Anckland City Council will also put some works in hand, which will assist a number of married men at present out of employment. The Government has also arranged for the employment of a number of men on deteriorated lands, thereby testing the possibility of bringing idle farms into a state of productivity with the class of labour available. A comprehensive scheme of afforestation throughout New Zealand has algo been prepared for this year, which will result in the absorption of a large number of men when the planting season commences. “It may be interesting to know that the Government is employing at this present time over 10,000 men on Public Works construction. Of that number over 4,000 are employed a the Auckland district. “In the meantime all those who am in need of work are again reqacaifl to register their names at the dtatml labour offices.”