UNEMPLOYMENT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 940, 6 October 1910, Page 4

UNEMPLOYMENT.

WHAT THE • GOVERNMENT IS DOING. v The Prime : Minister was asked by; Ma . D. M'Laren, M.P.j recently whether the Government has any. intention to' bring ; ■ down • this;' session ■';; legislative};:. proposals '; ■ dealing 'with; .'the ; problem of unemploy- *•;:- meat as-affecting bodies of workmen, either; in the way of—(1)y An' insurance • scheme to. provide against unemployment , occurring in - connection with'- those employed in skilled trades; (2) tho setting; : : aside of reserves tof land on: whioh tha labour of men out : of employment ;• may f ' : be .utilised' to. the advantage of tho State, and also- the workmen and their depend. . antsj' (3) any, scheme' ;forthe regulation -.' of ■; employment •in seasonal. and other trades, so as to secure' greater regularity of employment throughout the year and' the: prevention of stagnation •during';thai. winter months; and (4) any other: plaa, deemed necessary. ■: >:In., reply, the ,Prime Minister -.. says:; : - "The important;. question. of ;; unemploy- , ment generally has. not .been lost sight . of by the Government, and I may add f that inquiries', have been ;.madein; regard ' to insurance against. unemployment, and ,to • this end I'have recently;, received re- j< : • ports; through the High Commissioner in;;; London, onthe: various' schemcs : of-- i'nsur- ; . arice instituted; or. proposed:' iu " parts of .Europe. This; information is; be- ? ■ ing gone into with. a .view ,to: steps being ,", taken in New, 'Zealand: as early , as. pos-'.> sible.i It is impossible, however,; to do anything this session." • :