MONEY FOR RELIEF

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 138, 8 December 1931, Page 8

MONEY FOR RELIEF

THE CHEISTMAS PEKIOD

ANNOUNCEMENT SOON

PERMANENT WORK.

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "f ha Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, 7th December.

Replying to Tepresentatious. made by a deputation of .Auckland members of Parliament, the Minister in Charge of Unemployment, the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates, stated that he will indicate immediately what measure of relief is to be given the unemployed to tide them over the Christinas period.

Mr. M. J. Savage said the deputation was the outcome of a meeting of members of Parliament with the uncm: ployed or. Friday. The position was going from bad to worse, particularly through the system of rationing. The main object^ of the deputation was to see what there was in view in the first placo to tide the nien over the Christmas period, and in the second place to put them into permanent employment. Other members of the deputation also spoke. .. Mr; Coates, in reply, first expressed his sincere appreciation of the> spirit of co-operation "shown by members of tho deputation. "It is agreed," he said, "that the problem of unemployment is one that should occupy pur best attention, so that we may render the greatest measure of assistance to those who are up against it. The best brains of the world have been baffled in finding a solution of: the problem,, although I do not see that that is any reason why ■we should not attempt to handle it." Mr. Coates said that his difficulty ■was to knowhow far -he was .-justified in pledging the funds of the Unemployment Board. It was most difficult, he said, to estimate the revenue upon which he could rely. The estimate was placed at £50,000, .but actually the sum did not work out at that amount.

"I hope, to be able to say to the Unemployment Committee to-morrow what extra amount will be available to meet the position before tho New Year," said Mr. Coates. "That is not to say that this matter has not been given definite attention. Two or three days' work a week, although assistance, is anything but satisfactory. There are probably more than 12,000 men registered who do not get anything, so that will give you an idea of the magnitude of the problem. I shall not go into the question of productive works although we are all agreed that they are desirable." '

Mr. W. E. Parry: "What about arrangements for after the New Year?" Mr. Coates: "We have several industries underconsideration, and I hope within the next fortnight to be able to give a correct estimate of the extra men they will be able to absorb both in the primary and 'secondary industries." ■ ■'■■ : ■ ■■•■ ■• ' ,'' .

"The problem of youth is a very serious one," added Mr. Coates. "Through being out of work a youth might take a wrong turning for life. If the present position lasts, it will be a greater problem -than finding work for the men who are registered."

Mr. Savage repeated the offer of every assistance from the Labour Party, for which Mr. Coates expressed his appreciation, stating that he would communicate with the deputation almost immediately.