AIDING EMPLOYMENT

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 7 November 1935, Page 7

AIDING EMPLOYMENT

GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ENCOURAGEMENT OF INDUSTRY SCHEMES BEING DISCUSSED.

(By Telegraph —Press Association). PAPAROA, Nov. 6

The policy of the Government to promote employment through the encouragement of private industry, supported bv some expansion of public works according to carefully devised programmes, was discussed by Mr .T. G. Coates at meetings in the Kaipara electorate to-day.

Even during the worst years -of the depression there had never been a complete cessation of public works, said Mr Coates. However, in a time of acute depression a prudent Government was forced to take account of certain factors limiting the extent to which loan expenditure could lie pushed with safety. The Government now felt the time was appropriate for a cautious expansion of public works activities and provision w'as made in the estimates for the current year, lie had already made a pronouncement relating to the Government’s public works programme and the scheme of works to be undcitaken in co-operation with the Unemployment Board. He emphasised that the expenditure of loan money would be iconfined to such amounts as would be justified by financial returns. The main attac-k on the unemployment problem must be in the direction of encouraging private employment. The Dominion’s employable population was increasing and there was a tendency for labour to be displaced by the increased use of machinery and more economical methods of production.

‘‘The reconstruction measures of the Government have been directed towards stabilising a sound basis on which private enterprise can expand,” said Mr Coates. “A considerable improvement within the last two years shows the policy has succeeded. While the success of the Government in balancing the Budget lias removed a factor of uncertainty, it ensures that taxation will not be increased and offers a prospect of early tax reductions.

“For some time the Government has been working on proposals which should give a positive encouragement to the development of private industry. The measures already under consideration provide a basis of procedure for co-operation between tbe Government and interested groups. In addition specific schemes of industrial development are actually being discussed. If the negotiations relating to one particular project can be successfully concluded permanent employment will be provided for 1700 men. “The housing policy of the Government will also provide a strong impetus to employment in the building trades, while surveys into the natural resources of the country will provide 'a body of knowledge of inestimable value to those with capital to invest.”