THE UNEMPLOYED

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 28, 2 August 1933, Page 8

THE UNEMPLOYED

METHODS OF RELIEF

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT

CARE IN PUBLIC WOEKS

The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce leceutly set up a committee to report to it upon:—(1) Conditions under which unemployed relief is at present being administcrod; (2) to consider whether tho expenditure of unemployment funds in rolief works of the nature at present in operation is ensuring tho best possible returns. If not, to consider alternative schemes or proposals to meet the economic crisis. This report was remitted by the council of the Wellington Charuber_ of Commerce to a committee for review and at a meeting of the .council last night the following report of tho committee on tho questions raised was road:— "In reviowing tho report, tho Wellington Chamber's committee had the assistance of data obtained by '■ its members, and also particulars of the various schemes in operation now under tho Unemployment Board and the various contributions therefrom towards alleviating the unemployment problem which has become such a serious one in this Dominion. Particularly was the committeo impressed with the assistance that Schemo 10 can give towards absorption of the unemployed back into useful employment. "In regard to tho first .item of reference—conditions under which 'unemployed relief is- at present being administered—this committee observes: — (a) Unprejudiced observers: will probably agree that the Unemployment Board is doing its best under exceedingly difficult circumstances, (b) Tho money spent in relief of unemployment runs into large figures, and is properly obtained by special taxation, although at the present timo tho community can ill afford to bear it. (c) While recognising the necessity for the taxation and also tho duty of tho community to render assistance to those who have lost their means of livelihood through no fault of their own, it is obvious that thore is present a grave danger of sapping tho independence of the working people and their initiative. (d) TluTfaet must not be lost sight of that the support of himself and his family is primarily the responsibility of tho individual, not tho State, and any'activity on the part of the Government that undermines this principle will bring serious evil in its train. (c) If relief work is made financially attractive, will be no direct incentive to tho worker to seek private employment in order to improve his position. . (f) In all roliof work it is important that means bo found of relating the value of the wages paid to the value of tho work done. "In regard to the second* item of reference —to consider whßjher tho funds in relief works of> tho nature at present "in operation are ensuring the best possible returns; if not, to consider alternative schemes for proposals to meet the economic crisis—this committee submits the following observations and recommendations: —(i) The No. 10 Schomo, whereby tho Unemployment Board subsidises tho building industry, appears likely to produce bettor results, for it will stimulate privato expenditure on sound works of value to the community, and provide opportunities for men to gain employment under normal conditions of wage and supervision. (ii) It must bo obvious to all city dwellers that the ■ No. 5 Scheme as administered by the local governing bodies is very wasteful, (iii) In considering a, recommendation that Government undertake 'wise capital expenditure in works of a necessary and permanent nature' great care must bo exercised not to encourage the form and scale of public works expenditure which from 1919 to 1930 contributed In 'so great a degree to our present unbalanced state. (iv) There appears to be a tendency on the_ part of some to regard public expenditure from a different angle to personal expenditure. In our private capacity wo do not first decide to spend a certain sum of money and'then look around for something to spend it on. .In practice we follow the opposite course. After we' have had impressed upon us the fact that we really need a certain article, we consider ways and means of financing the purchase. (v) In such times as the present, it must bo admitted that it may well prove advantageous for Government to undertake now, certain works which in normal coiirso might be delayed two or even three years; but extreme care must be taken in selecting such works, for it often happens that owing to changed conditions, works that appear now ascertain to bo necessary in the future, will at a later date be found unnecessary or unsuited to altered circumstances. (vi) It. is unreasonable to expect a solution of the acute unemployment problem until freedom of contract obtains. The- report was adopted.""