FOR UNEMPLOYED

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 138, 15 June 1927, Page 11

FOR UNEMPLOYED

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES

LOCAL BODY !WORKS

The further decisions of the Gov-

•crnment in regard to the provision mQasures of unemployment rcrolief were announced to the deputation of unemployed yesterday

afternoon by the Minister of Lab-

our (tho Hon, G. J, Anderson)

' 'The Minister read to the deputation the following" prepared statement:—

'' ' 'In Match ■ last the' Government n»»de arrangements to provide work for 200 Q. men- .... It ...was thought at that tine that the provision thus made for unemployment throughout the winter would be sufficient, but this anticipation unfortunately has not not been fulfilled. Further arrangements have now been made-by the Government to provide empjoyment for a number of men. However, it'is obvious that to cope with the problem local bodies will require to make further efforts,, and with a view to encouraging them in this direction the Government, has decided to subsidise moneys borrowed for the sole purpose of s the .relief of unemployment, provided that the .works have*not been included in. any. schedule ,of. works for. which a Joan has. been raised by the local authority. r . The Government will also subsidise voluntary subscriptions by private individual* provided these have been handed/-6"ver to local bodies to be expended upon approved relief works. 'Jlhe; subsidies :on these subscriptions will-be^-at the rate of £ for £. In country districts it is considered that a large amount of work could be found by .• -the • local authorities in - : forming roads and in other directions. Where counties, road boards, or other local bodies in rural districts raise loans for the relief of unemployment, the Gov.ernment will each application upon its merits and where approved grant, £ for £ upon, the total cost of the, work. The'subsidy in these cases is. in., keeping.with the usual procedure whjore. Government assistance is granted, in rural -districts. Local bodies wisjeh .aie prepared to undertake tree planting.for relief work may have advice from the Forestry Department's queers... ........ .A.... .... ; r A,SOUND PRINCIPLE. '"Parliament will be asked to extend the'operation of the Act passed last year to enable local bodies to raise leans for. the relief of. unemployment. Works which local bodies propose to put in-hand for the relief of unemploy-ment-must be-approved by the Public Works Department, and it will, therefore, :-facifitate matters in the passing of :■ the loan by the Local Government Lo»n» Board if the Public Works Department, ia- atfced to approve of the work before ;.the; loan is raised. No work will be subsidised in a city, borough;, or town district unless 60 per cent, of the estimated cost is to be paid for .labour., on the actual work d0ne....<..T1H3 G9vernment will subsidise i such- approved works up to 50 per cent, of-the,cost of the labour. It is thought' by. the -Government that it is a sound I ptineiple for local bodies to assist, in finding, work for .the unemployed with-in-their own immediate vicinity, nnd the subsidy .proposed should render this practicable., ...Where -local .bodies see' fijt to pay .more., than. tho relief rato of 12s, for married men and 9s fon single men the .Government: subsidy on tho cost of labour above referred to will bo calculated upon a 12s and 9s rate of n-°* MPon n-Py higher rate .. The, Government puts forward this proposal .as a means of meeting what 'Ml-.I'W.»•« temporary,.emergency; but reserves the right to modify'it or cancel it at any time," '