EMPLOYMENT POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 158, 6 July 1935, Page 15

EMPLOYMENT POLICY.

APPEAL BY THE CHURCHES.

MINISTER SYMPATHETIC. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. A deputation representing the churches of Wellington to-day impressed upon the Minister of Employment, Mr. Smith, the necessity for increased relief rates, and also pointed out that it would be desirable to inaugurate a system which would lead to permanence of employment rather than perpetuate a temporary measure. The deputation said they did not propose to discuss details, because that was a matter of polities. The Minister, in reply, was sympathetic. He appealed for the co-operation of the churches in dealing with the problem of unemployment. The suggestion was made by the deputation that the Unemployment Board should call a conference of those interested in the problem, with a view to ascertaining the best means of putting men into regular employment at standard rates of pay. Mr. Smith said lie would be prepared at any time to receive suggestions as to how to cope with the problem. He pointed out that since the establishment of the Unemployment Board there had been much detail to deal with and it had not been possible to get down to methods permanently reducing the number of those on relief schemes. He was anable to speak for Cabinet, but undertook to place before the Government the suggestion that such a conference should be called. Mi*. Smith pointed out that unemployment figures had decreased consider-' ably.