THE UNEMPLOYED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 124, 7 March 1930, Page 3

THE UNEMPLOYED

AN ALTERNATIVE SCHEME. / MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE PLAN. (Per Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, March 6. The question of provision for alleviating unemployment was one of the matters dealt with at tlie conference df the Municipal Association of New Zealand to-day. Considerable discussion took place, and it w,as finally decided to submit a scheme to the Government. Mr R. Coulter (Te Aroha) said that he considered it was the duty of the conference deal with the problem of unemployment. He moved that a speeial committee should be set up to investigate the matter. . The Re.v. J. K. Archer (Christchurch) seconded the motion, and said that unemployment in New Zealand was not only a foliy, but a crime. Sir Charles Fergusson had suggested a conference, but no one was makings a move to carry out the suggestion. The municipalities were bearing the burden of supporting the unemployed, and it there was money to do that there was money to employ men. . Mr G. A. Troup (Wellington) said that a scheme had been devised two Years ago and had been sent to the Government as an unemployed insurance scheme. This scheme had provided for a fund which would have met any needs arising out of unemployment. Mr Coates had rejected the scheme because it would cost the Government a quarter of the total capital, but the speaKer claimed that more than that was being spent to relieve unemployment. . , ~ Continuing, Mr Troup attacked the scheme for unemployment insurance recently published. He said the suggestion that local bodies should be taxed was wrong in principle. lhe only way to meet the difficulty was to set up a fund, as had been suggested two years ago, and apply it to provide work, and not as a dole. He moved: —

That this, conference of local bodies objects to tlie proposal put forward by the special committee set up by the Government, as set forth in the daily Press, on the ' following grounds: — (1) In tlieir opinion work and not a dole should be provided. (2) That the principle of taxation oh municipalities in the manner provided is unfair and unS °(3) That New Zealand is not able to stand an additional taxation of £1,000,000 anpuallv. This conference recommends tne Government to adopt the unemp oyrnent insurance scheme prepared by this association, the payments fowhich shall be one penny in the pound on all wages to be paid b., the following contributors: (a) The employee. (b) The, employer. (c) The Government. (d) Local bodies. ' Of the contributions, the Govern ment shall expend one-quarter o. the amount on the employment single men, and tne local bodies sh expend three-quarters of the amount on the unemployment of married men.

Councillor Bloodworth (Auckland) objected to the remit on the giounds that it might provide the kovernim? with an excuse for holding up considei ation of the report brought do\iii to its own committee. He did not thin anv Seme of land settlement would meet the difficulty, for, lie said, duimg the last three years the population of New Zealand had increased by 3 per cent., while the horse-power of manufacturing machinery had increased t “°?ir°D. G. Sullivan (Christchurch) said he objected to the word do . If a man insured his house and it w • burnt down the insurance was not re garded as a dole. If a man insured himself against unemployment, he had a right to the insurance ir he 'became genuinelv. unemployed. He suggested that the conference’s scheme should be sent to the Government for consider - tion along with the Unemployment Committee’s scheme. Mr M F. Luckie said he held that the scheme outlined by Mr Troup was vastly superior to the one brought dewii bv the Government s committee. He'agreed with Mr Sullivan that there was nothing derogatory m tnc term “dole,” but it was open to abuse, and they should try to do without it The beauty of the conference s scheme was that money provided by the municipalities would be spent in the municipalities on useful work. *Mr Bloodworth said the problem tliev had to face was that of providing a market for the goods produced by the employed, and more men woo d soon be employed. He held that the scheme of making men provide thenown wages was a vicious one. Mr Luckie: They would only provide one-quarter. Mr Archer asked liow men at present unemployed, and so unable to contribute to the scheme, would get work. Mr Troup: According to the scheme they could not be employed. Mr Luckie: That’s not true. . Mr Archer: I object to that remark , it "implies a lie. and while I may be a fool, I am not a liar. Mr Luckie: I will sav incorrect Mr Archer said- he did nat intend to go into the merits or demerits ol the scheme, but he wanted to know how the present unemployed wcie to be employed until the scheme came Mi -€ 1) AY Coleman (Gisborne) moved as an amendment, that, the conference’s scheme should be forwaidcc to the Government for consideration along with the unemployment committee’s scheme. , Air E. Aldridge (Devonporl) seconded* the amendment. He believed that unemployment would be solved bv increasing the population of the c • Every person m the country had to, be fed and housed, and lie claimed that a rapid increase in the population of the Dominion, while it might cause temporary hai dship, finally solve the problem. He suggest ed that funds for unemployment should be provided from taxes ™ luxuries, and then the people who could afford the luxuries would supply the money instead of the working men being asked to supply it. After Mr Troup had replied, the amendment was lost on the voices and the motion was carried.