UNEMPLOYMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 134, 8 June 1910, Page 5

UNEMPLOYMENT.

COMPULSORY INSURANCE. MR. FISHER'S SUPPORT. MELBOURNE, June 7. A deputation, representing the Anglican body, headed by Archbishop Clarke, waited on Mr. Fisher to-day in respect of the problem of unemployment. Several of the speakers urged a compulsory insurance scheme, the employed to contribute a third, the employer a third, and the Government a third. Mr. Fisher, in reply, said that compulsory insurance was a big step, and it meant that every worker, if he worked only a portion of his time, should for that time receive a living wage. That was what he wanted to see carried into effect; economically, there was no difficulty in the matter. People were here, and wealth was here. The problem would be tackled cheerfully, but he very much doubted whether the deputation's proposal would solve the difficulty. The solution would not be difficult financially. The Government would provide work. They did not desire to act in a manner that would be considered vindictive by any part of the community, but their own people had their first claim. At present the Government lacked data. They proposed, when taking the census, to acquire further information.