UNEMPLOYED TURN TO LABOUR BUREAU

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 279, 15 February 1928, Page 9

UNEMPLOYED TURN TO LABOUR BUREAU

HOPES FOR RELIEF WORK PROGRAMME NOT DIVULGED As a result of the Government’s decree to* assist only those who register as unemployed men at the Labour Unemployment Bureau, the numbers on the department’s books at Auckland are rising steadily, and now approach the 1,000 mark. The process of transition from the traditional habit of registering with their trade unions to the unaccustomed method of taking their chance at the Labour Bureau, necessarily must be slow, because a skilled tradesman who registers with the department must—-if he entertains the slightest hope of getting a job—classify himself as a labourer. “It is of no use a man registering as a tailor,” said an officer of the department this morning, “so he must put himself on the book as a iabourer and take whatever job is offered him when his name is reached.” Many men, faithful adherents to the trade unions principles upon which they base their employment, are reluctant to forsake the doubtful protection of their union books, because of the obligation to take anything that is offered when their turn comes at the 'Labour Bureau. Some of them fear that they will be compelled to work in the country for farmers at meagre wages, while their wives remain in the city and struggle vainly to keep the house rent up to date at the request of a persistent landlord. CENTRAL BUREAU ESSENTIAL Just how many out-of-work men will be registered at the Labour Department it is difficult to predict, but officials there assert that it is essential, for computation purposes, to have a central point at which the men will record their names. No indication has been given of the nature of the work to be given by the Public Works Department as a relief measure, but it is anticipated that the local districts will be advised almost immediately upon the work which it is proposed to pursue. In the city itself the relief work has been pursued with the assistance of Government subsidies, and fortnightly shifts are being worked, so that the scheme will prdvide something for all who are registered. In the case of the Patriotic Society, the jobs are given mainly to unemployed returned soldiers. Given below is a list of the works in the city which are absorbing relief workers:—Western Springs, 50; Museum, 4S; Walker Road, Point Chevalier, 22; Epsom, 17; Domain roads, 10; Waiatarua Park, 6. It is hoped to employ about 29 men at the children’s playground at Grey Lynn Park to-morrow.