The Franklin Times PUBLISHED EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOON MONDAY, JUNE 15, 1931. UNEMPLOYMENT.

Franklin Times, Volume XXI, Issue 69, 15 June 1931, Page 4

The Franklin Times PUBLISHED EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOON

MONDAY, JUNE 15, 1931. UNEMPLOYMENT.

Office and Worka: ROULSTON STREET. PUKEKOHE. Phone No. 2. P.O. Box i*.

‘We nothing extenuate, nor aught

set down In.malice.”

THE Prime Minister’s announcement of the suspension of No.. 5 unemployment scheme must have come as a complete surprise to the general public, hut those who had watched the progress of events since the earlier revision of the scheme probably anticipated some such action. When the scheme was suspended in April the weekly expenditure was about £60,000 and the board’s income only £24,000. There were then over 29,000 men employed under the rationed labour plan. The lists of registered unemployed were subjected to careful scrutiny, and a number eliminated—deserving men, many of them, but men who had at least some other resources. The measure of relief was also reduced, but notwithstanding these steps the number of relief workers rose to over "30,000 and the weekly expenditure was £4 0,000. This over expenditure could not continue. There were two courses open to the Government—to provide further funds or to suspend the scheme. The Government took advantage of the easiest way out of the difficulty and suspended the scheme to the detriment of suffering humanity. As far as the unemployed are concerned they, and their families, must he fed; they cannot lie allowed to starve—and in

view of the Government’s inability to adequately deal with the problem there is only one course open to it. The unemployed will now fall hack on to the Hospital Boards to provide sustenance, and this will continue only as long as funds are available 10 meet the demand. When the purse I is empty what then? The Government’s action is surely an admission that it is unable to deal with the greatest problem confronting the country to-day, but this is no excuse for throwing Hie onus on local bodies,

private individuals and social organisations to do something the Government should do itself. The Govern-

merit's action savours of weakness. The Prime Minister staled that he, as •Minister or Finance, had no authority to provide further moneys without the sanction of Parliament. in view of prevailing circumstances we feel that Mr Forbes and ids party would have acted in the interests of tile country by taking up the stand that the scheme must he continued at all costs. The Government would have been supported by all sections of the community, by anticipating- Parliament’s sanctum for a further grant from the Consolidated Fund. Provision of fur-

tlier funds will make it possible for (he Unemployment hoard to continue its operations. The No. r> scheme has been criticised because the money sponl has been on non-productive

work. Wo agree that this is partly correct, but can any of I lie critics l outline a better scheme? if so let ! llu'in * ,e beard. Parliament meets i uu .tune in, five days after the date |

° r I,M; suspension of the scheme, j Standing- orders should he suspended! :UKI M "' unemployment problem dis- j caissi'd and suiiply granted at the carl- i i'-'st possible date, because there are! over :)U,()00 men depciideul. on relief' work for sustenance. While the un- < '■mployed proidem is most perplexing l

d is not altogether helpless, provided j nit sections of the community co-op- j (U-ate with the authorities. There • should be less cavilling ul !!ie , mem .. , ploy trio!) I ho.-ird's efforts, md u-roa (:«* r ■ willingness !., moot the hoard j,t a ! lodfiful spirit. i