THE UNEMPLOYED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2554, 16 July 1909, Page 4

THE UNEMPLOYED.

THE POSITION IN GISBORNE. Upon piaking inquiries yesterday as to whether the unemployed question in. « Gisborne had assumed a more serious aspect, a “Times” reporter found that though the Tarawera brought 25 steerage passengers from the South yestmday there were lew callers at the Labor Bureau, and only two men asked far work from the Borough Council. There are a number of tradesmen idle; carpenters and painters being plentiful, but no actual distress exists an<ng them. The casual laborers unemployed are chiefly men who have < ojr> c to Gisborne from other parts, many of whom walked overland. On Wednesday a batch of seven young men, carrying their swags, came overland riom Opotiki, and consequently helped to swell the unemployed ranks, but they are by no means destitute. Mr M. d Carmody, who is in charge of the local \\ Government Labor Bureau, is doing aii he can to find employment for all kinds of labor, either on the Gisborne-Roto-rua railway or privately As regards the future position in Gieborne, moor agents yesterday expressed the opinion that as soon as the month of July was past matters would begin to improve, especially in the country districts. The lambing season would provide work for a few men; but as soon as tho cows began to come into profit and it was warm enough to com merry shearing, there would be plenty of country work. “Already, said one labor agent, “some sheepfarmers are repairing their shearing sheds and woolSeds, and doing all they can to employ their casual hands rather than putthem off in tho wintci •July , the speaker added, “is the quietest month in Gisborne, and that month, isnow half through.” DEPUTATION TO THE ACTINGPREMIER. WELLINGTON, July 15. The Citizens’ Unemployed Relief Fund amounts now to £740. The relief committee waited on the ActingPremier to-day, asking if the Government; would subsidise money spent in making a carriage drive on Mount Victoria, and tho construction of a recreation ground at Kilbimie. It was stated that the Hospital Trustees proposed to erect a fever hospital, necessitating excavations costing £2OOO, and it was suggested that tho Government should anticipate its contribution, by giving £SOO to the relief committee for some of this work to be done. It was stated that there aie still quite 300 men out of work, including 150 with families. The Hon. J. Carroll, m reply, said it appeared that only £3IOO could be expended on Victoria College, that meant £550 of Government subsidy. It would be a pity if that money was lost. The Government might see fit to spend its subsidy on Mount "View. There were 80 acres of State property there, and a lot of excavations to be done. That work would absorb a number of the unemployed. The Government had decided to make certain alterations to tho Legislative Council buildings. Tba-t work would absorb some twenty or thirty carpenters, and would be put in hand as soon as possible. The Government would carefully consider the proposals submitted bv the denutation a-s to the road to the Signal Station, and the proposal that the Government should the whole of the subsidy on I ictoria College and allow the funds collected to be spent on city works. He thought they should In? careful not to offer too much encouragement to people from outside to drift into Wellington. The Government w.ould do what it- could. He would got the Cabinet together and let the committee know the result tomorrow. THE SITUATION IN CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, July 13. At- the Trades Hall to-day there was an average number of callers. Amongstthem was a man who has been out of work for tw.o months, with the exception of one week’s -work under the City Council. He has ten persons dependent oil 'him. Out of 40 men whose names appear on the latest posted list at the City Council’s offices. 13 have to date applied for the work offered. Mr. Lomas, Chief Inspector of Factories. who was in town to-dav-, informed a press representative that the Government is doing everything possible to relieve the unemployment existing in the Dominion. This was borne out, he added, by the number for whom eninloyment had been found. As far as lie knew the men on bushfelling work were satisfied with the conditions under which they were working. Referring to the passengers by the Athenie, Mr. Lomas pointed out- that none of them were, assisted by the State except farmers. farm laborers, and domestics.

The Mayor has instituted inquiries of the municipal authorities in Wellington on the. subject of the basis on which the Government is subsidising the funds raised for tho relief of the unemployed, but so fan has received no reply.