UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

Hawera Star, Volume L, 21 August 1930, Page 5

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

FEATURES OF REPORT HOUSE DISCUSSES BILL SUSTENANCE PAYMENTS (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) . WELLINGTON, Aug. 20. When the House of Representatives resumed' this OA’cning the Prime Minister suggested that the House should 1 deal during the evening with the report from the 'Unemployment Committee. The 'House had liad 'a number of late sessions recently and 1 lie thought they might have a preliminary discussion on the report and adjourn, at 10 o’clock. Mr Coates contended that the Prime Minister’s . proposals seemed to. him somewhat like rush tactics. He had no objection to the report being tabled and the discussion held over till 1 later. His side of the House Avas only too willing to join in and pass legislation which Avould be a credit to the country, but he did suggest that the discussion on the report be postponed to allow members to consider the matter. IMr' Forbes stated the alterations made 'by the committee Avere comparatively minor ones and he.thought the discussion .could 'be concluded by 10 o’.clock. 'lf this Avere done they could reserve' Thursday far the Land and Income Tax Bill. 'Subsequently the House agreed to the Prime Minister’s suggestion, the report aa’as laid on the 1 aide and the House proceeded with the discussion. Mr M. J. SaArnge .stated the report Ava-s practically the same as Avhen it left the House and he Avould take no responsibility for it. Mr iR. A. Wright said the report was most disappointing. He considered if the Unemployment Bill Avere passed it Avould encoiirage unemployed from all over the Avorld to come to the Dominion for the benefit of the subsidy. Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Labour, said the Soldiers’ Rehabilitation Commission’s recommendations could not be carried eut under the machinery of the 'Unemployment 'Bill. There aa-ctc three main features of 'the Bill'—a flat tax of 30s on males over the age of 20 years, the personnel of the board, and the payment of sustenance.

HARMONIOUS W ORKTNG

The object of the board, said the Minister, would be to co-operate Avitli all GoA'crmncnt departments to find work for the unemployed. With regard to the personnel of the board lie did not wish to see that body split into different sections, each fighting for supremacy. Ho Avanted a board which Avould Avorlc together, and if it would do .so he believed a great deal could be dene Avith the unemployment problem Avithin six months.

Referring to the subject of non-pay-ment of sustenance to females, the Minister said the Government had given the matter A-ery 'considerable consideration. 'The Government, hoAvever, had come to the conclusion that the amount of unemployment among avomcn was not so acute as to Avarrant the payment of sustenance, but even though no sustenance would be paid to avomeu the board’s duty would be to find Avork for all needing it, including the women. Mr A. W. Hall said that sustenance was put down as one of the main functions of the 'Bill, but he did not think that Avlas right. The '3os levy was not a good measure, and he thought measures which had been passed Avould bring in sufficient revenue Avithout that levy. It \A-a-s regrettable that the (Government Avas endeavouring to put its responsibilities on to the 'committee. Mr W. ,T. Poison considered the allocation -of taxation, under the Bill Avould 1 bo satisfactory to taxpayers when its provisions Avere made clear to them. There had boon, some misunderstanding concerning the fiat rate of payment, the Avorker paying 30s as well as the employer. It must ibe remembered, howOA'er, that the employer was paying more through the Consolidated Fund and increased' taxation. MoreoA-er, the employer did not derive any benefit front the Bill. It Avas one giving principal benefit to the worker. Mr r E. J. Howard stressed the fact that the discussion had Avandered UAvay front the 'committee’s report to the Unemployment Bill. Ho thought the House Avould have asked the committee Avhy amendments had been made and Avhat Avould be the effect of them. Concerning the Avork of the committee itself, on. many occasions there was a division between the two Labour members and the other members of the committee. The Labour 'Party was decidedly not satisfied Avith the Bill, 'and he hoped in the committee 'Stage it would be able to make suggestions AA-hich Avould meet Avith the approval of the other parties in the House and thus be able to produce a Bill AA-hich Avould meet Avith general approA-al.

AN UNSATISFACTORY PROBLEM

The Prime Minister impressed on members the serious nature of the unemployment problem. The problem itself was an unsatisfactory one and the methods brought down to deal with it must necessarily be of an unsatisfactory nature. The question of sustenance, said Mr Forbes, had to be faced. If they could not find worik for a man, he said, they could not let him starve. In setting - up the board it was the inten.tioni that that body should provide work for the men with whom it had to deal. It. would be a poor compliment. to the House if such a Bill as the Unemployment Bill could go through (without improvement, and lie felt sure that when the (committee stage was reached improvements would he made. Referring t© the 80s levy, Mr Forbes said until this measure could be seen in operation they could not stay if it would be satisfactory, but it was certainly worth -a trial, life thought the suggestion, that, payment of sustenance would attract unemployed to the Dominion from other countries could he met by a clause in the Bill specifying that any individual should have resided in. the country a certain time before sustenance became available for him.. To ensure the immediate working of the Bill as soon, as it had been passed by the House a clause, would be brought down by Go vem or-;G enetal’s message providing for the appropriation of £IOO,OOO. Mr C. 'Carr expressed pleasure at the committee’s recommendations that special provision should be made to deal with the rehabilitation of returned men. Mr W. D. Lysnar contended that arbitration awards aggravated the unemployment position. A great deal of unemployment could be avoided: if loans were given fanners at a reason-

able rate of interest, enabling them to carry out work which they ivere xinable to finance at present. Mr Walter Nash ,gaid ,am entirely independent board should deal with the rehabilitation of returned soldiers. Mr 'G. 'O. Munirs stated that thc_ committee had dealt with the matter on very broad linc-s and had done the best they could in tho circumstances. He urged that every section of the community should combine, to assist in. solving the unemployment problem. He dealt with the mdasuresj&ef out in the.. Bill and said that the inclusion Of females and youths would be too great, a burden, on the funds. He was riot satisfied with the fiat. rate. levy and., he was in favour of a residential clause to prevent outsiders flocking into, the country with a view to .profiting by the provisions of the measure. The amendments the 'committee had made were to exclude co-opted experts from becoming members of the unemployment board and providing for .maximum fines' of £IOO and £2O respectively ‘ for offences under the Bill. The Bill was set doiwn for committal.