NOT A "DOLE."

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 108, 10 May 1927, Page 6

NOT A "DOLE."

It is always pleasant for a newspaper to find what it has emphasised baeked by a competent authority, and it is as an interested party that we congratulate the new Professor of Economics at Auckland University College on having, on his first public appearance in Auckland, explained so clearly and defended so vigorously the English "dole" system. The term "dole" is most unfortunate. Professor Belshaw emphasised what we have frequently that the "dole" is really the product of a contributory insurance scheme. Administration is strict, and investigation has shown that the amount of abuse has been greatly exaggerated. There is still a sad amount of ignorance on the subject in this country, and Professor Belshaw has done well to speak out so plainly about it. The existence of the "dole" is sometimes considered a sign of decadence. Considered as a scientific remedy against unemployment it appears in quite another light. In this direction England has a long lead over this country, which was once considered the world's most important : legislative laboratory. For years England Ms had a system of unemployment insurance, whereas we are still considering the question. England may be rightly pitied for the extent of her unemployment, but theseonethods that