SUSTENANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 17, 21 January 1931, Page 8

SUSTENANCE.

PAYMENT IN FEBRUARY.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER.

"IF WORK IS NOT AVAILABLE"

TOTAL OF 12.000 UNEMPLOYED,

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.")

WELLINGTON, this da:

V • The announcement was made by the Minister of Labour to a deputation of Cliristchurch Members of Parliament that the date fixed for the commencement of the sustenance allowance rules, under the Unemployment Act, is February 1

There had to be an inquiry period, ;aid the Minister, and on February 21 he first payment of one week would be nade, but sustenance would be paid only if work were not available, and lie was hoping that by January 31 the Government, plus the Unemployment Board, would be able to complete schemes for the provision of work. One committee was investigating works in various paits of New Zealand, and making arrangements for accommodation, and it hoped to take a large body of unemployed out of the cities on relief works, tiding oyer the next few months. Another portion of the committee was considering finance, and Cabinet, which was sitting this morning ' While 'the deputation was in progress,' was no doubt discussing the same question.

Of 490,000 persons registered, about 400,000 were liable to pay the unemployment levy. The registered unemployed to-day totalled 12,000. He hoped that within six months, despite the financial position, , the organisation under the Unemployment Act would be so advanced' that the finding of work, though a stupendous task, would be achieved. This would be possible only with the co-operation of local bodies and the public.