"NO WORK, NO PAY."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 246, 17 October 1929, Page 11

"NO WORK, NO PAY."

UNEMPLOYED INSURANCE

A FUNDAMENTAL CONDITION

"Under certain specified conditions, I am strongly in favour of unemployed insurance," "said Mr. A. J. Hutchinson to members of the Auckland Creditmen's Club yesterday, speaking on the subject. He outlined the scheme as it was working in Great Britain, but said that it was important to avoid the use of the word "dole." The introduction of this word, he said, was one of the greatest mistakes made in Great Britain. It was not likely that workmen would coutribute to a fund which supported their fellows in idleness.

In all probability, he added, an unemployment insurance bilt would be brought before Parliament next session, and he advised business men to give it their careful consideration. He had been in touch with the Minister of Justice (Hon. T. M. Wilford), and the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), who had informed him that suggestions made by him in the matter, had been referred to a special committee for consideration. One thing he stressed was that any bilJ passed should contain the fundamental clause of "no pay if no work." A person was "unemployed" when he could not obtain work at his registered vocation, but accepted work supplied to him.

Mr. Hutchinson did not think there was any lack of work. Industrial conditions at present showed a shortage of employment of a certain kind, or of finance to provide that employment. There were in New Zealand high grade workmen unemployed, and yet there was urgent work to be done which necessitated the employment of those very workmen who could find nothing to do. School buildings generally were not in a good state of repair, and the Government had not the money to maintain the requisite number of schools. With the institution of a system of unemployed insurance, work could be provided at the schools for carpenters and painters at present unemployed. A scheme of dismissal by rotation was suggested to prevent any unfair practices by employers. Conversely, the employer would be protected against the slow worker. In conclusion. Mr. Hutehinson said a more appropriate term for thi3 scheme would be "employment assurance." Under no circumstanct-s whatever would the insured worker be entitled to receive the same wages as in his ordinary occupation. Mr. W. J. Holds worth presided.