BUILDING SUBSIDY

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 147, 19 December 1933, Page 16

BUILDING SUBSIDY

TRADES COUNCIL OPINION

•The AVellington Trades and Labour Council, at its meeting held last Thursday, took strong exception to the Government allowing largo. sums of money to be taken from the unemployment funds to subsidise the projects of private companies.

"The matter of tho presentation to the Auckland harbour bridge of £133,000 from the unemployment fund, and the possibility of tho East Coast railway being treated in a similar manner, gives causo for serious alarm," says a statement issued' by Mr. F. D. Cornwell, secretary of the- council. "There is also the knowledge that other applications have been made for grants, and that further companies in process of formation intend making a raid upon this. fund.

"As a result of this depletion, tho unemployed worker for whose assistance this fund was established is being penalised. Two hours per week of his time which were taken off some time ago have not been restored, and this now seems to have become an established reduction under this scheme. To add to this attack upon his existence, it is now proposed to-place large numbers of the unemployed upon sustenance at a reduced rate. It is claimed that this is necessary to conserve the funds for the coming winter, but in the opinion of the council the conditions of the unemployed are being reduced to the lowest possible level that they will stand, in order that the funds, may bo given to subsidise industry and assist the ventures of private companies. The council is of the opinion that this fund should be expended for tho benefit of the unemployed, for whom the general public are compelled to contribute, and if that is given effect to, better treatment can be given to those entitled to benefit under the Act."