UNEMPLOYMENT MEASURES

Evening Star, Issue 20315, 25 October 1929, Page 6

UNEMPLOYMENT MEASURES

SEVERAL SCHEMES TO BE FINALISED “ The position regarding unemployment has, since my assumption of office, given me cause for grave concern, and much thought has been devoted to how the problem could best be handled. On assuming office I found that 2,935 men were engaged on relief works by ray department at a wage of 9s per day for single men and 12s per day for married men, the standard rate of wages being 14s per day. The Government considered the matter and decided that the_ wages of relief workers we e to be raised to the standard of 14s, and this was immediately done. While endeavouring to arrive at a permanent solution or the unemployment problem I have not lost sight of the fact that immediate relief was urgently necessary, and my department has used every effort to absorb the maximum number of men possible on its various works. The placing of large numbers of men on public works is, however, not a permanent means of overcoming the difficulty. The Government, realising this fact, has given very full consideration to various schemes wl ich would mean the permanent removal of considerable numbers from the ranks of the unemployed, and it is anticipated, that during the present summer several of these schbmes will bo finalised and put into operation, thus materially relieving the position so far as next winter is concerned. “As members are aware, the Go vernment has given an undertaking that all unemployed capable of employment will bo placed in work at a certain date. A sub-committee of Cabinet ha 3 the matter in hand, and proposals in this direction are at the present time receiving that committee’s attention.