UNEMPLOYED RELIEF

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 197, 2 June 1934, Page 3

UNEMPLOYED RELIEF

LOAN NOT BEING CONSIDERED.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER.

(Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, June 1. Great interest was aroused over the reported references by the Minister for Employment. (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) when in Auckland recently, regarding the possibility of extending the Unemployment Board’s resources by loan money, but in an interview this evening the Minister said the inference drawn from his remarks was not warranted. There had been some misconception over the matter. The only explanation of the origin of the repoi't was that during cross-talk with a member of the deputation,' who advocated some form of free credit, he made the general comment that it meant borrowing. “I want to make it clear,” said Mr Hamilton, “that I did not intend to convey the impression that the Government was seriously considering financing unemployment relief through loans.”

PALMERSTON NORTH POSITION. STATEMENT BY THE CABINET. ■ WELLINGTON, June 1. A statement was issued to-day that the Cabinet has given careful consideration to the unemployment position in Palmerston North, and finds that it is relatively well treated when compared with other centres-. The presenc position has been caused mainly by lack of suitable work in the district for the unemployed on the No. 5 scheme.

“The position can bo met by any one or combination of three methods set out. These are that the local authorities should use every endeavour to provide work in the normal way, and the Unemployment Board will cooperate by finding assistance for approved wprk. That if work cannot be found locally, some men should be induced to accept work where work of an economic nature can be provided. The local authorities could assist in this direction.-Meanwhile, the instructions issued in regard to camp work will be withheld. If neither of the above can be arranged, sustenance is the only alternative, and, while it is the desire of the Government that the rate should be as full as possible, the .fund provided by Parliament and placed at the disposal of the board must determine the expenditure on purpose. If it is the dqsire of the local bodies, an officer of the board will confer with them as to any special difficulties affecting their district.

The Cabinet has the general situation of relief under review, and if any further relief can bo provided, Palmerston North will participate along along with other parts of the Dominion.

MAYOR REPLIES TO MR FORBES.

PALMERSTON NORTH, June 1. The Mayor (Mr Mansford), has replied to Mr Forbes as follows: J appreciate your suggestions to meet the local situation, and also the suspension of the camp order, biit I think you overlooked the mam issue. You will remember that at the conference here, I said that if the Unemployment Board can find allotment money where work is provided, surely the board can .still find Rill al otment money, and not just halt as sustenance where a local body is unable to provide capital works. lour reply was that if the position as stated by me was correct, you agree.

employment of youths.

SUBSIDY ON WAGES SUGGESTED.

WELLINGTON, June 1. ’ Following a discussion of a report that, there were 250 Wellington youths between the ages of eighteen am twenty on the unemployment roll, and that it was impossible to hncl positions for them as employers were disinclined to engage them while younger boys were available, the Wellington Employment Committee to-daj resolved that the Government he requested to consider as a mattei o urgency the following recommendation- "That employers of boys between'the ages of 18 and 20 inclusive be granted a subsidy of 25 per cent, on the lyeekly wages paid, the subsidy not to exceed 7s 6d weekly, and to o restricted to primary and secondary industries, or other productive work to be determined; and to be granted only in case of boys who have been unemployed for six months.

number of boys out of work.

THE POSITION IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, June 1. “I do not attach a- great deal of importance to the statements made at Sristchurch. and do not ac»p‘ ttam as the official opinion of the commit tee ” said the chairman of the Welling t o n Bovs’ Employment Committee (Mi T? H Nimmo), when the committee to-day was" considering criticism ? by a member of the Christchurch Boys Employment Committee reflecting on the registration figures of the Wellington committee. It was stated that the Christchurch committee had >en unable to reconcile the comparatively low registration of unemployed boys at Auckland and "Wellington with the high figure of 900' at Christchurch. Afted discussion the following resolution was carried:—"This committee resolves not to enter into any correspondence on the subject of statements made

by Mr A. J. McEldowney, of the Christchurch Boys’ Employment Committee, but affirms its confidence in tho thoroughness of its system and the efficiency of its officers. e figures indicating the position at Wellington represent th-e actual state of the affaus of youth employment in the capital city. Our only regret _is that the Christchurch committee did not inquuo locally from the Wellington committee, and thus secure its information at first hand.”