THE CABINET.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19928, 15 May 1930, Page 10

THE CABINET.

YESTERDAY'S MEETING. DELIBERATIONS UNFINISHED. (PR«BB ASSOOIJLtIOK TBLKaBAK.) ROTORUA, May 14. After the Cabinet mooting this afternoon, the following official statement was made;— Singapore Naval Baee. "I have noticed that references have recently been appearing in the Press regurding the Singapore naval base," said the Prime Minister. "I desire to state so far as the New Zealand Government are concerned their views on this subject aro well known, and have beon publicly stated both in and out of Parliament. Moreover, his Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are fully cognisant of these views. I need hardly say that these opinions remain unchanged, and we hope that no decision affecting the construction of work at Singapore will bo made until the matter has been fully considered at tho forthcoming Imperial Conference in London. Unemployment. "The quostion of unemployment received further consideration. Following a discussion, the Prime Minister said that the total number of men registered at the bureaux as fit for heavy work were, according ot the latest returns, 3502, less 548 who either refused or left Government worka of their own accord since January Ist, leaving a net total of 2954. The Public Works Department had already arranged for employment for 606 men, and with a view to affording further measures of relief the Government had decided to make provision for an additional 1600 men in various districts of tho Dominion to be employed on public works and afforestation. There were also several other schemes under consideration. It would be seen, therefore, that the total of those who were at present unfortunately out of work would bo materially reduced at an early date. "The matter of dealing with tho difficult question of Unemployment," concluded! Sir Joseph Ward, "Will continue to receive the closest attention of the Government with the object of providing as much work as possible before the winter comes on. I might also say that one of the private afforestation companies in the Dominion has recently acquired a substantial area of land in the Rotorua district. It it their intention to employ a large number of men in planting operations &n soon as possible." The Cabinet will continue its deliberations to-night and to-morrow. The length of the period dependi upon cir« cumstances.

FINANCIAL MATTERS,

[THE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, May 14, "We have been discussing matters connected with the financial proposals to be submitted during the Approaching session," «uid the Tlon. O. W. Forbes after to-night's meeting of the Cabinet in Eotorua, which lasted about two hours. He Intimated there was nothing to report arising out of those questions.