A SMALLER BOARD

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 9, 10 July 1931, Page 6

A SMALLER BOARD

UNEMPLOYED BELIEF

» ELECTIVE, PRINCIPLE DEFEATED

The proposal in the Unemployment Amendment Bill to reconstitute. the board administering the, relief funds met with somo objection in the House of Representatives early this morning. An unsuccessful attempt was made to sooure the principle of the election of tho board instead of appointment by the1 Governor-General. \ Mr. J?. Fraser (Labour,' Wellington Central) moved an amendment provid-. ing for the election of tho members by the workers and employers, through their organisations'. This, he suggested, would glvo the peopjo concerned the feeling that they had a say in tho election of their representatives. Mr. J. A. Nash (Reform, Palmerston North) asked -whether consideration w'oul£ be given to sonic of the members of ihe present board. They had don© good" work, and ■ were well acquainted with the.work. , • - * Mr. W. E.-Parry (Labour, Auckland Central) said it would be a bad'thing to antagonise the workers before the board was set up. " It would also be advisable to have a woman representative on the board. NEED TOR CONFIDENCE. The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes) stressed the importance of tho people having confidence' in the board, but he believed that the best men available should bo obtained. If a free hand .were given for the appointments there would be a better chance ti getting the .services of really satisfactory men. Under'an elective system popular' men would be appointed. He assurod tho House tliat every cave and consideration would bo used in the making of the appointments. Mr. F..Langs.tone (Labour, Waiinarino) said it was evidont that the Government was displeased with the present board. Perhaps tho members of the board had kicked over the traces.' It seemed that tho re-constituting of the board was nothing more than political spite. It was not fair to ask the Government Statistician to hold the position of Commissioner, as well. , 'Tho Minister of Jkbour ,(the Hon. S. j&. Bmith)..gave, an' ; assurance that there was L no dissatisfaction with, any/ member of the present board. Every member had .rendered signal service to the country in carrying 'out their duties. Mx*. Smith also paid a warm tribute to tho present Commissioner, Mr. Malcolm Fraser, who, ho said, was on loan to the board and was 'receiving no morp ,in remuneration ,lhan lie-got as- Government Statistician. The reason for a reduction in the number of. mojnbcrs on the board was that experienco had taught. *that the work could be dealt with by a less number than eight. An elective system would,bo ,too costly, as well; as cumbersome. The amendment was lost, tho voting being 44 against 20.