MISREPORTED ?

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 309, 31 December 1930, Page 5

MISREPORTED ?

LEVY FOR UNEMPLOYED.

INCREASE NEVER DISCUSSED,

REPLY TO MR. XEADLEY

MINISTER SURPRISED.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, Tuesday,

Replying t% a statement made at Christcliurch by Mr. W. E. Leadley, a member of the Unemployment Board, that there was nothing surer than that the unemployment levy would be increased by the next session of Parliament, the Minister of Labour, Hon b. G Smith, said he felt sure' Mr. Leadley had been misreported. "If not," he added, "ho is only expressing his private opinion. That causes me, as chairman of the board,, some surprise, because the question of increasing the levy has never been discussed, either by the board or the Government. No one will know exactly what the revenue from the levy will be until after the end of this month." The Minister said that seven days after December 31, the last day for the payment of the first quarter's levy, every employer whose employees had not registered or paid would be liable to a fine if he continued to employ them. Regarding Mr. Leadley's statement that the board was making provision for susteiranco payments, the' Minister said that, though sustenance had been discussed by the board, it had not yet reached finality on the subject.

INCREASE IMPROBABLE

ME. RANSOM'S ASSURANCE

WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

The acting-Prime Minister,. Hon. E. A. Ransom, has issued the following statement: —"My attention has been, drawn to a statement made by Mr. W. E. Leadley, a member of the Unemployment Board, to the effect that there was nothing surer than that the unemployment levy of 30/ would be increased by Parliament next session. No doubt Mr. Leadley .is expressing his own opinion, but I have to point out that the question of amending the legislation is a matter which must necessarily emanate from the Government. I think it is most improbable than any increase will be made."

UNEMPLOYED RELIEF

LOCAL COMMITTEE FORMED,

TAURANGA, Tuesday.

After -the provisions of the Unemployment Act had been explained by "Mr. C. E. Macmillan, i M.P., last evening, residents of Tauranga decided to form a local unemployment committee. The following were appointed: Eev. J. W. i Smyth, Rev. H. G. Brown, Messrs. J. Beale, T. H. Phillips, L. R. Wilkinson, P. G. Melntosh, B. C. Robbins, J. Law, F. N. Christian, C. Clinkard, T. Lochhead, F. W. Keamj C. El Macmillan and R. E. '"Burke.

The committee met subsequently and appointed Messrs. Robbins, Macmillan, Lochhead and Clinkard as an executive committee, with Mr. Robbins as chairman. It was decided to ask the Borough Council to allow the town clerk or a member of his staff to act as secretary.