THE UNEMPLOYED.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1922, Page 4

THE UNEMPLOYED.

AN APPEAL FOR CLOTHING. “MANY DISTRESSING CASES.” DEPOTS TO BE OPENED. An appeal for clothing for the unemployed in New Plymouth is made by the Mayoress, and depots are to be opened to receive articles. Mrs. Wilton forwards the following appeal:— “May I, through your columns, make an appeal for useful clothing for men, women and children—a very urgent need? There are many distressing cases that have been brought to my notice, and that have been reported by the various associations that are connected with relief work, of children insufficiently clad for this winter weather, and of men who have no suitable clothing for the work they are undertaking. There are many men who have been out of work for months. They are in debt and in arrears with their rent, so that even though temporary work is secured, food and rent must be the first consideration. As the need is a present one, gifts will be most acceptable as soon as possible.” A meeting was held yesterday afternoon between Mrs. F. E. Wilson (Mayoress), as a delegate from the Mayoress’ Committee, Mrs. Home (president of the Blanket Society), and Mesdames Walker and Wteston (president and secretary of the Y.W.C.A.), to discuss the opening of depots for receiving useful clothing for men, women and children. It was decided to open a depot for men’s clothing at the Soldiers’ Club, with Mr. Roper’s permission; one for women’s and older children’s ' clothing, at the Y.W’.C.A., and one for infants* and children’s clothing to three years, at the Plunket Rooms. Clothing may be left at the Soldiers’ Club and at the Y.W.C.A. Hostel during the day, and at the Plunket Rooms in the afternoon only.

WORK IN NEW PLYMOUTH. REPORT ON OPERATIONS. A meeting of the New Plymouth Unemployment Relief Committee was held in the Soldiers’ Club yesterday afternoon. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) occupied the chair. The borough engineer (Mr. W. H. Cook) submitted a report on the relief works ’ i progress. It stated: On the 11th instant, 10 men were sent to the abattoir and river paddocks to cut and grub gorse. Qn the 12th inst., work was commenced in Western Park, 21 men being employed clearing growth, getting and filling spoil into carts, etc., and seven teams with four drivers. Six men have been employed at similar work in Victoria Road, the spoil being carted to Gilbert Street gully with three single-horse carts and two drivers. At the cemetery three men were employed in grubbing gorse. By arrangement, Messrs. Roper and Brabyn chose the men to be placed at work. This ensures that the most needy men are first employed. It i? understood all those now employed will stand down on Tuesday evening next, a fj’esh lot of men replacing them until the t following Tuesday, after which the first ' gang again resume work. The men have generally shown their willingness to work. As was to be expected, one or two were somewhat slack, but I am pleased to state that, so far as can be judged, the men seem to realise their responsibilities to the public who are finding the funds to keep them employed. The total number of men employed Was 47, with the teams, and the total costs up to now will be approximately £192 17s 9d for labor, and £2O for tools, a total of £212 17s 9d. He recommended for the committee’s consideration that it w’as advisable to concentrate the men as much as possible on the larger work, i.e., Western Park, chiefly on the ground that should funds become exhausted earlier than anticipated, the faces now being cut • back would be left in an unfinished state and be of no actual service. On the other hand, by concentrating on this work, there would be more chance of completing at least the western terraces. This and the Gilbert Street filling should form the two chief outlets for the labor employed. In speaking to the report, the Mayor , mentioned that the Harbor Board bad placed ten men on work that may possibly last two or three months, and he expressed pleasure that the Trades Council was considering ways and means of raising funds to relieve the present distress.

The district inspector of factories (Mr. L. J. Mountjoy) advised, in response to the committee’s inquiry, that, as the committee was not making any pecuniary gain from the men employed on relief works, they were not bound to give the award * rates of pay. It was unanimously decided to adhere to the committee’s previous resolution and to continue relief works at the present-rate of pay.

UNEMPLOYED FUND. TO RAISE MONEY. Writes “Rugby Player” :- i - As the proposed match between Tukapa and Hawera senior teams cannot be held at present, would the Rugby Union kindly consider "a match between the- A and B teams before the final selection is made of our team which will soon go forth to do battle with the other provinces for the honor of upholding our prestige in the football field ? The match should be in aid of the Unemployed Fund, which wants a good kick along at the present time. It could be held at Pukekura Park, say, on August 2nd, during the Pierrot Week.

Put these backs behind the B pack which played the Wanganui B -team at Hawera recently, and I will guarantee the “gate”: Half, Coleman or Greaves; five-eighths, Ron. Oliver, Greaves (if this player is not acceptable as half) ; three-quarters, wings • —Vaughan and Wilkinson, centre—Robertson; full-back, Coutts. This match would give the selectors a final look around, to see if there were not a player or two who have been overlooked,' viz’, Coleman and Greaves, also to fill a position we seem so weak in at present, viz., half-back. Hoping this letter of mine will assist the greatest cause of all —sweet charity—and the good old Rugby game. Thanking you in anticipation.

[The above is a good suggestion. We commend it to the Taranaki Rugby Union for its favorable consideration. Such a match would be an excellent “drawer,” and the Unemployment Relief Fund would assuredly benefit to a considerable extent —Ed.]