NOT UNDERSTOOD

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 52, 25 November 1930, Page 10

NOT UNDERSTOOD

Unemployment Tax MINISTER EXPLAINS “Payment Mere Bagatelle” Dominion Special Service. Auckland, November 24. “Tlie public of New Zealand has not yet reached tlie stage where it understands what is meant by tlie 30/- unemployment tax; when it does no objection will be raised,” declared tlie Hon. A. J. Murdoch, Minister of Agriculture, this morning when speaking at a United Party reception to visiting members. The Minister said the tax was for the betterment of those out of work—a help toward the provision of employment for those unfortunates—and regarded in that light the payment would, he felt sure, be looked upon as a mere bagatelle, causing hardship to none. It had been made clear by the Minister of Labour that the funds collected by the Unemployment Board would not be paid out to individuals except in cases where local committees failed to find work for the men concerned. The essence of the Unemployineift Act was to provide work for those requiring it. It would be the endeavour of the committees to find work in some way and to have as much of it as possible of a reproductive character. There was power also for industries and owners of property to be subsidised to enable men to be employed on reproductive work. At a later date grants made could be repaid or a small interest could be paid on them. There would be no “kick” coming about the payment of the 30/- when the position was fully understood. After all, the sum represented only three “ten bobs” that one might spend at the races. WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED Wellington Relief Measures ■' 1 I In accordance with an arrangement made when a deputation of Wellington unemployed. waited upon three members of the Cabinet last Friday, a conference between Sir Apirana' Ngata, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Defence, and the Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Labour, representing the Government, and local Labour members of Parliament and union secretaries, was held at Parliament House yesterday. The conference was presided over by Sir Apirana Ngata, on behalf of the Acting-Prime Minister, Hon. E. A. Ransom, others present being the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. G. A. Troup, Messrs. P. Fraser, R. Semple, W. Nash, and R. McKeen, M.P.’s; Mr. W. Bromley, a member of the Unemployment Board and president of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council; Mr. J. Tucker, secretary of the Storemen’s Union; and Mr. E. Kennedy, secretary of the Cooks’ and Stewards' ■ Union. Various measures for the immediate relief of unemployment in the city were considered, and an officer of the Public Works Department outlined work it was hoped to undertake in the near future. No official anouncement was made at the conclusion, and no indication was given of the actual progress made. POSITION SERIOUS Palmerston Appeal Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, November 24. An indication of the unemployment position in Palmerston North is evidenced bv a telegram, which was dispatched by Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., to the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. W. B. Taverner. “The unemployment position in Palmerston North is becoming desperate. There are 130 men out of work. Can you arrange to place thirty immediately?