NATIONAL PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 53, 26 November 1930, Page 12

NATIONAL PROBLEM

Unemployment Evils GOVERNMENT HELP * First Board Meeting MEMBERS’ HOPES The hopes of members that the problem of, the workless would be attacked for the first time from a truly national viewpoint, found expression at the opening of the first meeting of the Unemployment Board at Parliament House yesterday. The Minister of Labour, Hon. S. G. Smith, wlio presided, impressed upon the board that the shaping of its policy rested solely in its own hands. Provided it kept within the law, he said, it was free from all control. .Members generally struck an optimistic note, although they acknowledged the magnitude of their task, and after the opening speeches the board lost no time in turning its attention to business. The Minister said he desired to congratulate those other than the Government nominees who had secured seats on the board. As far as the Government nominees were concerned the names submitted had been almost as numerous as those forwarded from other interests, and the Government bad been confronted with a considerable problem in choosing members from a list of such experienced men as was submitted. It had been gratifying to the Government that with one or two exceptions there had been no comment upon the personnel of the board. What comment there had been had nothing to do with the Government or the board. Mr. Smith thanked the members for accepting seats. Freedom of Action. The board would be entirely free from Government control, and it could frame its own policy and act as it wished provided it was within the law. It had been suggested that the board had been appointed to carry out the wishes of the Government, but the Minister said he was certain no member would have accepted nomination on that condition. However, the Government would give the board every assistance in facing its task, which was recognised as stupendous. “I want to tell you that the Government is not going to relax any efforts to find work for the workers of New Zealand,” the Minister said. “It wants to co-o-erate completely with the board. Naturally it will be guided by the board when it has reached a stage when it can give considered opinions in regard to some phases of the problem that confronts New Zealand. I want to make it perfectly clear that the placing of the Unemployment Act on the Statute Book does not in any way introduce the baneful influence of the dole system of the Old Country. The basic principle underlying this Act is to find work for the workers. That is our job.” As far as the sustenance payments were concerned the Minister said he was sure no one with Christian spirit would cavil if the board, when unable to find immediate work for a man, saw that he and his family did not starve. The necessity for the board might disappear in a few years hence and primary and secondary industries misfit be so stimulated that a new era of prosperity would be experienced. Co-operation Needed. It was feared that some people expected too much for a start. There might be a few foolish persons who believed that from that day the board could supply the needs of that section of the community which had not thought out the problem. Some local bodies had recently said they could struggle along until ■ December 1, from which date the board would take over, their problem of unemployment. However, the board could not do wonders in a day and it would be as necessary as ever for local authorities to continue their work as far ns the local problem of unemployment was concerned. Mr. Smith expressed the hope that the board would not endeavour to centralise all its works and activities in Wellington. A decentralisation policy would be more beneficial to the board and helpful to the people of the country generally. By co-operating with local authorities the board would be aware of the type of man for whom work was sought. If this co-ordination could be secured the board could reach a successful- conclusion. . In a final word to members, the Minister appealed for a spirit oi team work in all their activities. "We may do a great deal as a team,” he said. “I am sure if we work as a team, be frank with one another and work with a singleness of purpose we will achieve much.” Spirit of Team Work. Mr. H. B. Burdekin, Government member and deputy-chairman, expressed appreciation of the welcome extended to the board by the Minister. He was sure members would be imbued with that spirit of team work for which the Minister had appealed. It was their hope and their confident anticipation that they would be able to render a service to the Dominion in finding work for the unemployed. Mr. G. Finn, the’ other Government member, likened the board to a junior Parliament. He had given a great deal of consideration to the unemployment problem, and he regarded it as the natural result of inefficient organisation. Mr. F. L. Hutchinson, representing the secondary industries, thanked the Minister for his references. Mr. P. J. Small, primary ■ industries member, said he was sure it was the wish of all primary producers that there should not be an idle man in the country. He congratulated the Government on passing the Act, and he hoped Divine Providence would guide the deliberations of the board. • Mr. W. E. Leadley, returned soldiers’ member, said he believed that between 2500 and 3000 of those out of work were returned soldiers. After 15 years they still deserved consideration, and it was their duty to assist them to find useful work. Mr. W. Bromley, workers’ representative. joined with other members in congratulating the Government upon the passing of the Act. It was patent to members that there had been some dissatisfaction with the method of appointment to the board. He was satisfied that as the board’s deliberations progressed, members would see that the workers’ representatives had a good grip of the problem. Mr. O. Mcßrine, workers’ representative. likened the unemployment problem to the Achilles heel of civilisation. It was the vulnerable point in the economic system. New Zealand would not be selfcontained for many years, and their task would have to be taken with an eye to the overseas conditions. The principle of the tax was sound in more ways than one, Mr. Mcßrine said. Everyone in the country should contribute to the relief of unemployment. By so doing interest in the problem would be centralised in individual contributions to the fund. The board then went into committee. REBUILDING CARNIVAL St. Annes Rebuilding Carnival Is rapidly drawing to a close, to-night being the last night, when nil raffles will be drawn. To-night’s display of dancing will be given by pupils of Alias Kathleen O’Brien.