UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21709, 17 February 1936, Page 9

UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS

TO THE BDITOB OB THE PRESS. Sir,—lt is truly stated that “in stagnation we wither and die”-so with the unemployed. It is also t°° stated that “Where there is no vis on the people perish.’ Take a . cas glance or visualise for youiself the vision that daily confronts all cla ®f®s of unemployed—men, women, and girls and last, hut not least, the de spised, unfortunate relief worker We notice by newspaper reports that the unemployment tax is hkely to b increased. We also note, with further interest, or anxiety, that the Hon. H. T. Armstrong (Minister for Unemployment). at present, statesi that.the expenditure of unemployment money exceeds revenue. As this em P y ment problem was a serious matter even during the year 1932, are w going to allow this “stagnating state of affairs to continue much longer. There was a recent hasty trip to Auckland to discuss women s unemployment problems, and, according to newspaper accounts, the discussion was “dynamic." It ended in a “smoke screen,” in the form of a bedraggled deputation of weary women leaving the room—“ Not understood. Now, with regard to the unemployment funds, which by right belong to people, taxpayers want to know wheire this money goes—and they have a I 'it'has 'been stated that the whole Question of unemployment among women and girls is an exceedingly difficult one. It has also been stated that unfortunately there are many ft* totally r S‘af p T reS t°o stay on relief work, which consists of free meals and free room rent, at the expense of the taxpayer? It is almost a certainty that the un employment tax is likely to be increased. Were we not informed that our successful Labour Government had a constructive plan to work on immediately? I| this women s unemployment relief depot, with its free meals and free room rent, to continue at the expense of the taxpayer, and to the advantage only of a smaUproportion of unemployed women and pris. The. Government should deaf with this urgent question —there ought to be one Bureau of employment, receiving all applications for employment, ana having a proper classification of positions vacant, so that those ployed may be .sent promptly to positions where they are needed. With regard to possible employment, all Government departments m New Zealand are fairly extensive, and many positions are available (for the favoured few, may be) ih institutions, Government hospitals,, railway bookstalls. Government quick-lunch counters and elsewhere. But apparently at present, and for some considerable time now, the only positions available for all Classes, Of . unemployed women are in the despised, domestic employment, which they will not acCG Many have openly condemned the defeated government’s administration. It is to be hoped that we shall have no cause, at tne end of 1936, to condemn the administration of our Labour Government— Your^etc.^^. February 15, 1936.