PROBLEM OF UNEMPLOYMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 64, 2 March 1929, Page 5

PROBLEM OF UNEMPLOYMENT

PREMIER IN NAPIER. MONETARY ASSISTANCE IF REQUIRED. While in Napier last night opportunity was taken to bring before the notice of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, by Mr W. E. Barnard, M.P., the problem of unemployment, and in the course of his rely Sir Joseph said that it was hoped that once the scheme of reproductive railways works was under way to absorb all the unemployment in the Dominion. Mr Barnard said that the Government would have the support of the great majority of the electors in its endeavour to tackle the land question. Personally the believed that closer settlement would go a long way to relieve the vexed question of unemployment. In order to local bodies in providing work, Mr Barnard asked that the Government should grant a subsidy of £1 for £1 on work to be undertaken which was of such a nature not already covered by loan authority. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, said that he fully realised the seriousness of unemployment. He was hopeful of bringing into operation the policy laid down of utilising the unemployed on reproductive railway works but in the meantime the position had become such in the four main centres that the Government had had to give monetary relief to help the present situation. Monetary assistance was not given on maintenance, or on works carried out under a loan authority, but any bona fide cases of distress coming to hand would receive full consideration. Sir Joseph asked that a return be prepared showing the number of bona fide married men with families who were out of work so that it could be dealt with. On his return to Wellington he would confer with the Minister of Public Works on the matter.