WORKLESS PROBLEM

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11768, 15 October 1932, Page 5

WORKLESS PROBLEM

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE, , TREATMENT OF ‘B2 MEN. V' ' —- ALLEGED BETRAYAL OF TRUST. (Press Association.j WELLINGTON, Oct, 14. Tlie Imprest Supply Bill was introduced to the House to-clay by Gov-ernor-General’s message and accorded urgency. The opportunity \va s taken to discuss various aspects of the unemployment problem. Mr. Sullivan. (L) alleged that tho Government was betraying its tryst so far as 132 men were concerned. He said both hospital hoards and the Unemployment Board had repudiated responsibility for providing for these men. and it was a scandal that the Government had been unable to bring the issue to finality. He asked what right had the Unemployment Board to throw on hospital boards the responsibility for B2 men /when Ft must know that the hospital hoards had the right to repudiate such a responsibility. These men were able to perform light work, and Mr Sullivan insisted that the Unemployment Board should do something to save them from starvation.

PROTEST AGAINST MARRIED MEN'S CAMPS. Air. Harris (O,) protested against the .action of the Government in driving married men into the country for relief work. He referred to the case of the Takapuna Borough Council. which was prepared to continue to employ 173 married men on reproductive work, and asked why the board insisted on breaking up these men’s homes and driving them into the country. He was satisfied that with a little business acumen many works coukl be carried out in various towns, and be was referring .to reproductive works of national importance which would keep men somewhere near their home. He believed that the reverse policy was wrong, and he would not stand for it.

FARMERS “PLAYING THE GAME” BY BOYS.

Replying to Labor speakers. Air. Smith (C) said no section of the community except a very small irresponsible section, would urge that relief work should be abolished and the men placed on the dole. From a canvass that had been made in the cities it had been established that only a small percentage of the number °f registered unemployed boys and youths could be absorbed in trade anj commerce in the cities- The only otlier avenue was the land, and in all parts of New Zealand hundreds of buys had gone out into the country. He him'scll' had seen comment expressing the satisfaction of both farmers and boys with this scheme. There were admittedly complaints regarding conditions, but from his experience from on u end of New Zea-

* - 1 to- the ether, he could say that '93 per cent. 0 f the farmers were playing the game by the hoys.

AMENDMENT TO AID LANDLORDS DEFEATED.

Mr. W. Nash (L) replying to AH’Smith, said that 74 per cent, of thy girls and 26 per cent, of hoys leaving primary schools did not know what they were going to do. He claimed that the picture painted by Ah- Smith was not a correct one.

Tlio discussion on tile unemployment situation generally was contiuuod until after 4-30. when .Mr Parry ,'L) moved an amendment recommending the Government to convene a conference of representatives of the owners of rented houses and tenements, relief workers and the Government. for the purpose of making mutually satisfactory arrangements, whereby unemployed workers would have a reasonable guarantee of "shelter for themselves and their families, and owners would be guaranteed a definite return in the form of rent. Mr. Parry said that, until the -Government took some steps to assist the people he had mentioned, he would take every opportunity of dividing the House on the subject. He personally was not prepared to assistthe Government any further until it took the matter in hand. A vote of £15.000 would by sufficient to overcome tliq rent problem.

The amendment was seconded by Mr Jones (L) and on a division was rejected by 43 votes to 24. After further discussion, the Imprest Supply Bill, providing for allocations totalling £4,482.000, was put through stages, and passed, and the House rose at 0.40 p.m. The Council resumed at eight o’clock and passed the Imprest Supply Bill.