HELP FOR IDLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 302, 21 December 1932, Page 7

HELP FOR IDLE.

BRITAIN'S EFFORT.

Cost of Unemployment Borne Without Borrowing. FACING ECONOMIC CRISIS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, December 20. The national vote of £19,000,000 on behalf of unemployment, which was passed by the House of Commons last night, was mainly required for the payment of transitional benefits under the Insurance Fund, and in order to main-tain a continued balance of the Insurance Fund. This is an increase upon the original estimate and was in part a sequel to the somewhat optimistic over-estimate of employment. It was pointed out by Sir Henry Bettcrtou, Minister of Labour, that the world deterioration, which showed signs of being arrested when the original estimates were framed, had progressively continued, and the expected improvement had not materialised. He emphasised that Britain bore the cost of unemployment without borrowing, and was almost alone among the nations in maintaining its position in face of the formidable economic crisis.

The supplementary estimate also included the Government's contribution of £10,000 towards voluntary movements, which have extended remarkably during recent months, to help unemployed in finding useful, healthy means of occupying their time. The Prime Minister last night broadcast an earnest appeal to the public for support of these activities.