RELIEF AND REMEDY

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 6, 6 July 1935, Page 8

RELIEF AND REMEDY

In some quarters the increases in relief allowances announced by the Unemployment Board have, been criticised in extravagant terms. We cannot support criticism of this type, any more than we could endorse the demand for an all-round increase of 10s a week. That was too rough-and-ready a proposal to command complete approval. Nevertheless, we believe that the Church deputation was expressing the general sense of public opinion yesterday when it urged the, Minister of Employment that more adequate relief should be granted. The speakers stated the case reasonably and frankly, admitting that they had no constructive suggestions to offer; and the Minister was equally frank in showing the difficulties with which the board is confronted. Indeed, ihe exchange of views was so promising that we hope the Minister will follow it up by adopting the proposal for a conference with wide representation to discuss ways and means of providing permanent employment. We have previously suggested that, as a solution of the problem is impossible without full co-operation from all who are concerned (including the Government, local governing bodies, industry, commerce, and. labour) these parties should be brought into contact with each other. There cannot be co-operation without contact and understanding.

A conference with wide representation would not in itself achieve much. There would be a possibility, in fact, of such a conference being used as a sounding-board by thdse who held fixed views. But it would help to correct some erroneous impressions, a.nd it could lead to the establishment of smaller 'investigating, and working bodies whose ideas and support would be helpful in framing a constructive policy and gaining public support for it. A very real need exists for some means of informing the public. Many lines of improvement have been-obstructed hitherto by wrongly instructed agitation. One speaker said truly yesterday that the tragedy of the existing state of affairs was that' the man of high ideals was brought down to the level of the man with no ideals. Another speaker-cited several very distressing instances of hardship. Part of the remedy in both cases is more investigation (which can be thorough and yet sympathetic), yet against this there have been protests. It should be made clear that all the cases of greatest need cannot be met unless there is either thorough investigation or the general standard is raised much higher than the fund will stand. There are other public misconceptions that require correction. It is futile, for example, to criticise relief work as demoralising unless some better alternative is shown than the more demoralising sustenance without work. The Chamber of Commerce has recognised this and is rightly concerned at the proposal to terminate the No. 5 scheme before a better plan is in readiness.

It will Lake time, however, before a conference can be held or other steps . taken to extend public cooperation. In the meantime we hope the Unemployment Board will give very serious consideration to the claim for more help for Lhe most necessitous families. As the Minister staled the position to the deputation yesterday there are no funds for an increase. But the Minister, in maintaining this, must he prepared to show the public full justification for what he referred to yesterday as "a loan of £500,000" made available to the Executive Commission of Agriculture to assist farmers. Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., spoke of this assistance as involving subsidies for a whole range of dairy factory machinery and equipment. This might be justifiable if it were met from the Consolidated Fund or a special loan (and the Government is apparently able to find loan funds for redemption of British-domiciled debt); but as a grant or a loan from the Unemployment Fund the test is wfiether it results directly in a worthwhile addition to the number of workless placed in regular employment.