"GREAT ACHIEVEMENT."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 288, 5 December 1929, Page 9

"GREAT ACHIEVEMENT."

RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYMENT. PREMIER'S PROMISE KEPT. STATEMENT BY LABOUR MINISTER (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) ■ WELLINGTON, Wednesday. "Wo .undertook to do a certain job within a certain time. We were more concerned about that than about reporting to the public," eaid the Minister of Labour, the Hon. W. A. Veitch, in explaining why the Government stopped the publication of unemployment figures. "We stopped publication of the figures," said Mr. Veitch, "not because we wished to hide something —there was nothing to hide —but because things

were moving 60 rapidly during the progress of the work that we felt publication of the figures would be misleading. "However, the whole position as it existed at the time for the fulfilment of Sir Joseph Ward's promise was made known to the public. It was pointed out then that we had provided for some 6000 men, and that the whole of that number was not available. Clearly, then, the unemployment difficulty had been met and the Prime Minister's promise completely fulfilled. "I am quite sure the people generally are satisfied that the fulfilment of the promise was no mean achievement — indeed, a greater achievement toward the relief of unemployment than hae so far been recorded ill any other country. We think our opponents might give us credit for having achieved the main purpose, rather than worry over a ]«2tty detail as to whether the figures should have been published or not, especially in view of the fact that the numbers were changing from clay to day, and at no stage could be regarded as up to date."

The Minister added that there was no reason why the decision should not be reconsidered next time the Cabinet Committee met.