Work for Unemployed as Soon as Possible

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 967, 9 May 1930, Page 1

Work for Unemployed as Soon as Possible

REPLY FROM MINISTER “MUST ACT AT ONCE” Another 125 men will be placed within a week and arrangements are being made to find employment for a very large number of Auckland men as soon as possible. fpHIS information is contained in a telegram received this morning by Mr. M. J. Savage, M.P., from the Hon. G. W. Forbes, acting-Prime Minister, regarding unemployment. Yesterday Mr. Savage forwarded a telegram to Mr. Forbes pointing out the distressing circumstances of men and women who were out of work in Auckland and asking that Parliament be called together to remedy the posi tion. Mr. Forbes’s reply was as follows: I received your telegram of this morning regarding unemployment in Auckland. As already announced, more than 4,400 Auckland men have been provided with employment on Government works since the present, Government assumed office, including 1,035 placed since last Christmas. Another 225 men will be placed within a week. Cabinet Employment Committee is at present arranging further works for employing a very large number of additional Auckland men who will be placed as early as possible. (Signed) G. W. Forbes. On receipt of the telegram, Mr. Savage replied with the following: Your telegram received. I freely admit that employment has been found for 4,400 men as you say, but it is evident from numbers now unemployed in Auckland that a still greater number has been discharged during the same period. The . past is dead. Will the Government deal with the living present? Someone must act at once. Will the Government say it cannot or will not act? The position is too serious to be dealt with in generalities. What are we to say to those who are without sufficient food and shelter now? Can the Local Bodies Loan Board help by speeding up authority to borrow? I am advised some are held up. (Signed) M. J. Savage.