UNEMPLOYMENT

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 190, 14 May 1928, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT

PRIME MINISTER DEFINES THE POSITION

RESTRICTED IMMIGRATION

DUTY OF CHARITABLE AID BOARDS

To a deputation which waited on him at Auckland on Saturday in connection with unemployment, the Prime Minister made it clear that the cii'y immigrants arriving in I the Dominion at present were members of separated families. He also stressed the responsibility of hospital and charitable aid hoards in relieving distressed unemployed.

Dominion Special Service.

Auckland, May 12.

"I am not exaggeiating when I say the unemployment position is worse to-day than when we waited on you two years ago,” said Mr. M. J. Savage. M.P.. in introducing a deputation representing 2S trades unions to the Prime Minister to-day. There were 1000 men registered with the Labour Department as unemployed, he added, every trade being represented. Some system of State unemployment insurance was absolutely necessary. Mr. E. J. Phelan said he considered there were at least 2000 out of work, not only meh, but also women and girls being affected. There were 709 sawmill hands out of work and another 600 bushmen, making 1300 timber industry workers in all. This had been brought about very largely by the importation of timber. If importation were stopped it would mean employment would be found for about 2000 men.

Mr. Coates said that importation meant that work was found for some

Mr. Phelan: “But it pushes others out.” ’

Mr. Coates: “If you ask me to give timber merchants of this country a carte blanche you know what that would mean.”

“To-day we have people starving in this city,” continued Mr. Phelan. “Local organisations are doing what they can. The Patriotic Association dealt with 125 men this week. They were down and out. The Government has been good enough to subsidise the work of the association. Would it extend that consideration to local bodies? Would the Government say to local bodies, “We will subsidise you if you find work for unemployed in your respective districts?’ ”

The Prime Minister: We have done it from one end of New Zealand to the other, and we shall continue to do it. So that clears that up.

“Immigrants are still coming in by the shipload,” said Mr. Phelan. “You are not playing the game with these people. They come here to the job, but such are the conditions of pay that within a few weeks of their arrival they are out on the street.”

“I deny definitely there are whole shiploads of immigrants coming in,” said Mr. Coates. “Those coming in are members of separated families.”

“Perhaps a hard task master would say no more should come, but pleadings of families had to be considered. No one will dispute that the outlook is brighter now and the effect must be, felt in the long run. So far as local bodies are concerned, we will continue to offer them every inducement to find work. The money will be decentralised. It is the Hospital Board’s job to relieve people in distress.” Mr. Savage: “Not tlie unemployed.” Mr. Coates: “Yes, if in distress.” Mr. Savage: “Then the local taxpayer has to do the job?” Mr. Coates: “Yes, if the unemployed are in distress, but the local taxpayer is not doing it on his own. Wellington and Auckland Hospital Boards have received considerable sums from the State, 50 per cent, of the relief granted. I fail to see how relief could be better undertaken than by charitable aid boards.”

Mr. Savage: “Don’t you think the State is passing off its responsibilities on to local bodies?” Mr. Coates: “That is a matter of opinion.” The Prime Minister told the deputa-

tion lie hoped to get tlie exact classification o| the unemployed, “with a view not altogether of 'finding employment, but of doing away with unemployment.” Too many young fellows were being driven into the narrow avenue of pick and shovel work. At the conclusion Mr. Coates announced that the Government would find work for another, five hundred men on

he public works and forestry operation in Auckland.