THE UNEMPLOYED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 303, 22 December 1926, Page 16

THE UNEMPLOYED.

» HOSPITAL BOARD RELIEF. GOVERNMENT PAYS ONLY HALF. This year .the Auckland Hospital Board expended £3921.3/2 on providing relief for the unemployed, and a claim wae made on the Government for this amount, it being clearly understood by the chairman that the Government would refund to the board • all , the money expended in this, manner. Cabinet authorised the refund to the board of only half the amount, holding that the granting of relief to the needy was part of the duty of the board. In moving at last night's meeting of the board that the offer be accepted without prejudiceto further claims, the chairman (Mr. W. eaid he was sure the Prime Minister, would not be party to such an action as the cutting down of this accouD.t. The Cabinet was apparently unaware of the .details of hie interview with Mr. Coates. Aβ long as there was unemployment and the Government continued to bring in immigrants, the provision of unemployed relief was a national question rather one for individual hospital boards. Mr. Wallace, then drew attention to the fact that there was still considerable unemployment. This was a matter of great ' concern at a time of the year when all avenues of employment were open. People were looking forward to a good time at Christmas, but there were 500 names on the unemployed list at the Labour Department's office, and unless something substantial was done the position would be much worse next winter than it had been this yearMr. Rowe stated that, had not the Government promised to reimburse the board, all this relief could not have been granted. The total for unemployed relief would amount to £4000, the chairman etated notwithstanding that the board had been very careful. The motion to accept the offer of the Government, without prejudice, wae carried.