UNEMPLOYMENT ACT

Evening Post, Issue 113, 10 November 1930, Page 10

UNEMPLOYMENT ACT

SELECTING THE BOARD

Male persona, over 21 years of age who have, not yet registered under the Unemployment Act should lose- uo time in. complying with the provisions of the Act, for after to-morrow it will be too late. Under the Act, 11th November was fixed as the last day iv which registrations would be received, and substantial penalties were fixed for non-regis-tration. Every person who. fails to register by to-morrow or who furnishes false particulars is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100. Employers aro also liable to. a fine not exceeding £20 if-they employ for more than seven days any person who is not registered. Once all the registrations are iv books will be prepared for all those who are eligible for the payment of the levy of 30s pcr1 annum. Tho first payment under the Act is due on Ist December. Those liable have the option of paying the 30s in a .lump sum or dividing it into quarterly payments of 7s Od. The nominations of members of the Unemployment Board are now in the hands of the Minister of Labour (the Hon. S. G. Smith), and it is expected that an. early announcement of the Government's choice will, be made, as the Government is anxious that the board' should settle down to work. Probably the Minister's most difficult task will be to select the two representatives of the workers, as forty nominations have been received. Many different interests are represented in the list, and the difficulty will be to select two men who will be in a position to represent the workers as a wholes The Alliance of Labour, which represents a' large section of the unskilled workers of the Dominion, has declined to nominate representatives on the board, as it objects to the method of selection. In order to place its views before, the Government, a deputation from the Alliance will wait on the Act-ing-Prime Minister (The Hon. E. A. Ransom) to-morrow morning. . Some speculation is being indulged in in-'regard, to the selection of the board. Of the representatives of the employers nominated most support has been given to Messrs. F. L. Hutchison (of Christchureh) and A. E. Fowler (of Wellington), and it would not be surprising if both these gentlemen are given seats on the board. Seven nominations have been fjceived for the position of representative of the returned soldiers, and those whose chances are most favoured are Mr. W. E. Leadley (of Christchureh), Colonel G. T. Hall (of Wellington), and General G. S. Bichardson (of Auckland). The selection of the two workers' representatives presents a knotty problem, owing to the diversified interests represented in the list of nominations. Mr. Oscar M'Brine (of Auckland) was a member of the Committee which reported to the Government on the unemployment problem, and it is expected that he'will be well in the running for appointment to the bjoard. Others who must be seriously considered include Mi1. W. Bromley (of Wellington), Mr. T. Bloodworth (of Auckland), Mr. F. D. Cornwell (of Wellington), and Mr. G. T. Thurston (of Christchureh).