"COULD SPEND £50,000"

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 102, 2 May 1929, Page 11

"COULD SPEND £50,000"

RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYED. PRIME MINISTER'S OFFER. £25,000 SUBSIDY GOING BEGGING. Stressing the fact that the Government cannot spend money in the cities of its own accord, but that State assistance is given local authorities by way of subsidies, the Prime Minster (Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) has been jn communication with Mr. M. J. Savage, M.P.> concerning the relief of unemployment. Mr. Savage sent a telegram to the Prime Minster on Tuesday pointing out that the registered unemployed now totalled approximately 1100. In addition some 60 men had been discharged from the Public Works job at Welluford during the last few days, and MrSavage asked that additional work be provided, as the need was urgent. Acknowledging this telegram, the Prime Minster stated in a message re- ' ceived yesterday morning that, in accordance with advice already received by MrSavage, arrangements had been made for 200 men to be placed on the Hikuai-Tai-rua-Whenuakite road, on the Coromandel Peninsula. Sir Joseph Ward added that the transference of the 200 men from their homes to the work would be expedite in every way. "I would point out further that the Government is prepared to provide £ for £ subsides, up to £25,000, on money expended by the Auckland city corporation, providing the money is spent on works approved by the Public Works ■ engineer on the usual terms and conditions," stated the Prime Minster's tele-

gram. In another telegram to Mr. Savage it is stated by the Prime Minister that the Mayor of Auckland has authority in his possession to applv for a subsidy up to £25,000 upon works for the relief ol unemployment coming within the Mayor's jurisdiction. "I intimated this publicly some weeks ago,"' says Sir Joseph* Ward in his telegram, _ and stated at the time that it was available for Auckland. As this amount would enable Auckland to spend up to £50,000 in public works for the relief of unemployment, I hope you will agree with me in saying there should be no dittitulty in reducing the number of unemployed."