TO HELP WORKLESS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 11324, 30 September 1930, Page 5

TO HELP WORKLESS

SEVERAL PROJECTS BEFORE HOUSE,

PROPOSED EXTENSION OF FLAX INDUSTRY

N.Z.-AIADE GOODS FOR GOVERNMENT WORKS

COAL CARBONISATION AND SHALE OIL

(Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Sept, 29,

Air Hogan (I.) presented an interim report of the Special Unemployment Committee. . k ■ The report stated that since, the presentation of the last interim report the committee had held four meetings, and had inquired into the question of promoting or assisting certain secondary . industries from tho point of view of assisting immediately in the relief of unemployment. Tlie committee; was of opinion that both from tho point of view of unemployment and from the national standpoint, the flax industry should receive the'immediate consideration, of the Government. Tlie committee had received valuable information in relation to this industry, and had passed the following resolution :

“The the committee recommend the Government to compel improvement in the quality of flax grown and manufactured in New Zealand and to encourage an increase in the quantity produced, as it is apparent that there is a world market for good quality fibre. The committee* is of opinion that the Government should consider the advisability -of granting a subsidy on the production of best quality fibre for a limited period. A.s a means of securing the end in view, the committee recommends that a conference of Government representatives, millowners, flax land owners, and employees in the industry he called by tlie Government for the purpose of considering the whole position in regard to the flax industry, with special regard to a) a reduction in costs by increased efficiency ; (b) the vital necessity for an improvement in the quality and grade of fibre produced : and (e) the establishment of a State flax mill for training purposes or, alternatively, the appointment of additional instructors for the purpose of educating those engaged in the industry in tho best methods to bo employed. The report continued :

“In the opinion of the committee it is quite probable that this industry can be so restored as almost permanently to employ 1500 men.”

The committee has also inquired into the extent to which New Zealand products have been and can boused by the Slate Departments in preference to goods of foreign manufacture, and’ has passed tlie, following resolution: —

“That in view of the fact that the Stores Control Board is the largest purchaser in New Zealand, tho committee recommend that Ministers in charge of all Departments instruct their respective Departments when supplying specifications of goods required, to stipulate that the articles shall be New Zealand-made, conditionally on ijieir being of sufficiently good quality and reasonable price. Tlie term ‘reasonable price’ should be interpreted. as a fair and reasonable price, having regard to the cost of production in New Zealand by established and efficiently administered local industries. ’

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO

FARAfERS

The report added :

“Further information and reports on coal carbonization have been received, and information is being sought on the possibilities of the shale oil industry from the point of view oi relieving unemployment.”

Tlie committee is also calling ox- ■ pert evidence on the question of financial assistance to farmers.

NATIONAL ART GALLERY. AND DOMINION MUSEUM

WORK PROPOSED TO BFJ START-

ED AT ONCE

Tn moving the second reading of itho National Art Gallery and Domin' ion Museum Bill, Mr Ransom said tho reason for tho introduction of •tho Bill at tho present time ivas to ’enable work to ho started, and so :to relievo unemployment in Wellington. Work on clearing the site rtt ■Mount Cook would be commenced as soon as the .Bill had gone through. I The Hon. W, D. Stewart said the introduction of the Bill was the outcome of long years of negotiation, and he thought it carried out the iarrangements that had been cogitated by the. Government arid other parties interested- There was no doubt | that tho need had arisen for the .adequate housing of New Zealand’s treasures that had been .accumulate led.' The site of the buildings would |eventually be an admirable one from the point of view of vista, of approach, and it was also well chosen 'from the point of view of its location/in the 'centre of ari amphitheatre of hills. Tim buildings would •constitute one of the most striking >memorials in the world. . , t - . , . Wellington members congratulated the acting-Prime Minister on bringing the Bill down. Mr Semple (l*.) asked for an assurance that.: on|y New Zealand lriatcrials should- he used in the construct iriri of the huildirigs. , » Mr Ransom' said. tlVat so .far as he was concerned it would be his desire to erect the h.uildirig with New, Zealand stone as far. as it-was possible to do so ; in fact, the Government ; WO uld regard. it ; ' as'a serious matter if a building toi be txtilised-so .largely for the housing of the Dominion s

treasures, were to be erected in anything other than New Zealand stone. The Bill was read ,a second time. The National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Bill was considered in committee. Mr Martin (L.) said that officers of the Crown who were receiving good wages should not bo paid as members of the board, and said that lie would move as an amendment that members bo honorary. Mr Ransom said that he could not accept the amendment, but he would consider the matter and see what could be done in the way of amendments in another place. Mr Fletcher (U.) raised the quostion of the cost of the upkeep of the museum and art gallery. , Mr Ransom said tho Government was responsible for the museum at the present time, and would continue to be responsible when (lie new building was Greeted. Tho Bill was reported to the House without amendment, and later put through the final stages and passed.

BRITISH UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM.

LABOB-LIBERA.L DISCUSSIONS,

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Sept. 27. The Labor and Liberal conversations on the unemployment question 'were continued to-day when Mr Lloyd George, accompanied by Lord Lothian and Mr Seebohm Rowntree, called at No. 10 Downing Street and had an interview with the Prime Minister (Mr Ramsay MacDonald) and the. Chancellor <if the Exchequer (Mr Philip Snowden).

A UST R ALT A’B R AIL WA Y S

SYSTEM

.MOVE TO SUSPEND ALL ' AWARDS

EASTERN STATES MAY HAVE.TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 20, 11 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Sept, 20. The Commonwealth Arbitration Court heard further argument in support of the application by the Railway Commissioners of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania for setting aside railway awards to enable _ the Governments concerned to institute an emergency scheme of retrenchment. Mr Mehzies, K.C., counsel for the Commissioners, asked that the Court should act quickly; otherwise it might he. imperative that the whole railway systems of tho Eastern States' suspend operations before the end of the year.

The Union .representative characterised this statement as of an alarmist. nature.

The hearing was adjourned