UNEMPLOYMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 224, 21 September 1935, Page 10

UNEMPLOYMENT.

TAX REDUCTION OF 2D. ROTARY CLUB DISSATISFIED. "STARVATION AND MISERY." (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. On the ground that it was a reflection upon the proceedings of the House, Mr. Speaker refused to allow Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour, Avon), when speaking in the Budget debate to-day, to read a resolution passed by the Christchurch Rotary Club objecting to the proposed reduction of 2d in the unemployment tax. When Mr. Sullivan said that at a meeting of the Christchurch Rotary Club, which consisted largely of public-spiritcd business men, an important resolution was passed, which he proposed to read, Mr. Speaker intervened and asked if the resolution reflected upon the Government. "It cannot be said to be actually a reflection," replied Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Speaker: I am afraid it does reflect upon the Budget. I say that after having read it.

Mr. Sullivan: I submit that it is not a reflection upon the Government.

Mr. Speaker: It is a reflection upon the proceedings of this House. Quotation of it would be out of order.

"It is a reference to the proposal that the tax should be reduced," explained Mr. Sullivan.

"Exactly. It is a reference to the present proceedings of this House. The honourable member may, of course, state its general support."

Hon. A. D. McLcod (Government, Wairarapa): Did the Rotary Club mention the incidence of the tax?

Mr. Sullivan: Yes, as well as other questions. So wo have this consensus of opinion on the part of both the commercial community and the workers that in the absence of alternative proposals it is not desirable to reduce the tax. The Government is going to throw upon the local committees the necessity for a further appeal to the public to prevent starvation, malnutrition and misery among the unemployed unless public works arc provided to enable employment to be found at standard rates of pay for the unemployed workers.