"MORE ACUTE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 148, 25 June 1931, Page 8

"MORE ACUTE."

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S ■ SPEECH. RELIEF IN NEW ZEALAND. INCREASED FUNDS NEEDED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. "In almost every country the depression in trade and .industry existing to-day appears to be unprecedented, and in. consequence the problem of widespread. unemployment has become more • acute,"-said,his Excellency the, Governor at the ,opening of Parliament to-day. . "The question of devising a practicable • solution lias' been; and is still, engaging the close attention of statesmen and economists in . all parts, of- the world," Lord Bledisloe continued. "In ! this Dominion. ■ it" has been possible, under the' provisions, of the -Unemploy- . ment Act, 1930, materially to relieve the position, and in "co-operation-."vyith. local, bodies: and private, individuals my Government have succeeded in ameliorating considerably the condition of a large lumber of persons who. would otherwise have experienced great hardship.' • "The-Unemployment Board is making every effort to cOpe with the problem, and as. much-work as possible is, in addition, being provided on public works and other State activities. It is evident, however, that increased funds must be placed at the disposal of ■ the boaTd," and proposals to' this' end will be submitted for your urgent consideration. -" i ' i : \ "With the great decrease in l revenue, my. a<Jvisers were reluctantly compelled to impose reductions'in the 1 salaries andwage's of public servants. 1 The Court of Arbitration similarly- decided. that'- pre- • vailing economic conditions necessitated the issue of a general order reducing tlie minimum fates of pay prescribed by it's awards. General reductions have also been made by public bodies and private employers. My Ministers are confident that the action being taken will result in the retention in employment of a large number of workers who, otherwise would have to be dispensed with owing to the, substantial reduction in the income of employers and thus swell the ranks of . the unemployed. The spirit of self-sacrifice displayed .by all sections »of the community is commendable."