LONG DAY’S WORK

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 55, 28 November 1930, Page 12

LONG DAY’S WORK

Unemployment Board STEADY PROGRESS Registrations Increase Long hours were again worked by the Unemployment Board yesterday, and practically the whole day was devoted to preliminary investigations of various aspects of the problem. It is understood that it is the intention of the board to make itself fully conversant with every phase of its powers under the Act, anti to clear up all misconceptions that have arisen in various quarters before it frames a definite policy for future work. To this end the board divided into three small committees yesterday with the object of going into various questions with the fullest possible expedition. One committee investigated the payment of sustenance and the issues involved, another went into the question of exemptions, and the third undertook an inquiry into the legal powers conferred on the board. By this means it was possible to make progress on three issues in the time that might have been devoted to one, so saving time, which the board considers is the essence of its contract. It has been found that in spite of the fact that the Act sets out clearly the functions of the board and the obligations of those who come under it, as well as the benefits, some will be entitled to- receive, individuals and local bodies throughout the country still have a wrong impression upon many important points. The board has been particularly harassed over the question of exemptions from the payment of the annual levy. Conditional Benefits. Inquiries have been received from some who say they cannot pay the levy, as to when they can draw their first sustenance payment It is pointed out by the board, however, that the benefits of the Act are extended, only to contributors to the Unemployment Fund. This means that unless a man pays the levy be cannot receive sustenance. It is repeated by the board that the £25,000 to be paid in subsidies to local bodies for relief over the Christmas period is the total amount that will be naid out for the whole Dominion. Reference to this question was made in a statement issued at the conclusion of yesterday’s meeting. It has been arranged that members of the board will consult with representatives of local bodies in the principal centres during the week-end, and discuss with them the provisions of the Act and the best methods of relieving acute unemployment for the Christmas season. Conversations will take place between board members and local body representatives in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Palmerston North, when members go to their homes for the week-end. Mr. O. Mcßrine and Mr. G. Finn will go to Auckland, Mr. W. E. Leadley and Mr. F. L. Hutchinson to Christchurch, and Mr. P. J. Small to Palmerston. Negotiations are already being carried on between Wellington Labour members of Parliament, the Mayor of Wellington, and the Government, which has no control over the board’s activities. It is hoped that local relief will be provided as a result, as the Government has promised not to relax its efforts in spite of the fact that the Unemployment Board has started to function. Arrangements are also to be made by the board for an inquiry into Dunedin relief measures. Many More Workless. There was an increase of 634 over the previous week in the number of unemployed registered in New Zealand for the week ended November 24, according to a statment issued yesterday by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. S. G. Smith. Last week’s total was 7402, and of these 4225 had dependants. Details of the registrations at labour bureaux and post offices are: — With Without depen- dependants. dants. Auckland 1219 1039 Wellington 688 506 Christchurch .... ' 644 445 Dunedin 376 246 Invercargill 11l 78 The totals for the five centres, with the figures for the previous week in parentheses, are: — Auckland. 2258 (2132) ; Wellington, 1194 (1057); Christchurch, 1089 (1018); Dunedin, 582 (436) ; Invercargill, 189 (171). The sudden increase of 634 in last week’s registrations is put down to the fact that the Unemployment Board hits commenced its sittings. Although the number of registered unemployed has been growing steadily, the weekly increases have been comparatively small. It is obvious that there has now been a rush to register as the impression seems to be that the mere fact that a man has pldced himself on the books of the Labour Department will entitle him to sustenance payments. Clearly this is not so. In any case it will be some time before sustenance is paid, and, as has been pointed out, a . man cannot draw anything unless he has paid the levy. CONFERENCE .CALLED Palmerston North Needs Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, November 27. A conference of representatives of bodies interested in unemployment relief is to be held at Palmerston North on Monday afternoon. This has been arranged in response to a telegram from Mr. Malcolm Fraser, commissioner to the newly-constituted Unemployment Board, to the Mayor of Palmerston North, Mr. A. J. Graham, Mr. P. J. Small, one of the members of the board, will be in Palmerston North over the week-end. and Mr. Graham lias arranged the meeting for two o’clock on Monday afternoon, when the question of providing relief to tide unemployed over Christinas will be discussed. AUCKLAND NOT HOPEFUL Allotment Much Too Small Dominion Special Service. Auckland. November 27. Few of the local bodies in and around Auckland are very hopeful that much can be done to take advantage of the offer of the Unemployment Board to provide £25,000 by way of subsidies to local bodies to provide immediate relief work for the unemployed. Not many are able to find the necessary money on which to claim the £2 for £1 subsidy, and there is a general feeling that the sum mentioned is so comparatively small that no individual council or board could expect to receive sufficient to justify it in undertaking nny expenditure. One other point made is that time is so short that little relief could be provided before the end of the year. Two members of the Unemployment Board, Messrs. G. Finn and O. Mcßrine, will be in Auckland on Monday to discuss details of the offer with representatives of local bodies. Tlie Mayor of Auckland, Mr. George Baildon, said he could hardly believe that the Unemployment Board intended that the £25,000 was to be shared between ail the local bodies throughout New Zealand likely to apply for assistance. He, however, preferred to await the arrival of Messrs. Finn and Mcßrine before recommending the City Council to take any action.