THE H.B. TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1936 MORE LIGHT WANTED

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 110, 22 April 1936, Page 6

THE H.B. TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1936 MORE LIGHT WANTED

The announcement made in the House of Representatives yesterday by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. 11. T. Armstrong, regarding the new rates of relief and sustenance pay, which are to take effect as from Ist June next, will be read with interest by others besides those who are to benefit by the increased allowances. In a general way it may be said that but few will take exception to the scale upon which these are cast on the ground that they are in any way excessive having regard to the reasonable needs of the recipients. From that point of view alone the announcement will, indeed, be welcome to all so long as they can be afforded. It is, however, to be regretted that, contrary to the expectations raised, our new Government is revealing the measures designed to bring its policy into practice in a piecemeal fashion that makes it quite impossible to form any rational opinion as to how it is likely to work out when brought into full operation. In specific instance of this, wi are told to-day that the rates of wages upon which these new allowances are to be made are to be the same as those to be paid for men employed upon the public works the Government has in contemplation. To know what these are, however, we have to await a further announcement, presumably from the Minister of Public Works. The truth probably is that the Government is finding a good deal more difficulty than it anticipated in formulating its schemes so as to make them fit in with one another. On the other hand, there may be some who think that the idea is to break things as gently as possible, a device deemed quite legitimate m political tactics. From whichever cause or motive, the result is the same—that really intelligent comment or criticism has to be suspended until full disclosure is made, and for that it would seem, from the way in which Ministers themselves talk, we may have to wait for some considerable time

yet. It will be seen that the Ministei of Labour is placing a good deal of reliance upon the co-operation of labour-employing local bodies, and no doubt they will respond to the utmost of their capacity. At the same time, however, it has to be recognised that most of these bodies have for the last few years been already straining their re sources almost to the limit in order to meet like, and even more urgent, appeals from the previous Government. It may thus be found very difficult for them to make further response without imposing upon the communities they represent inci eased burdens

likely to cheek the industrial recovery that has made a not altogether confident beginning in the face of serious doubts as to the impositions, direct and indirect, that may have to be provided for. Beyond this, the Government has itself laid down the principle that no works should be undertaken or moneys spent that do not give promise of yielding some adequate return. Thus, for more reasons than one, local bodies must proceed with a considerable degree of caution, at any rate until they are much more fully and definitely informed than at present as to the Government’s own intentions.

Throughout the Dominion all sorts of hopes, some of them probably extravagant, and all sorts of misgivings, some of them no doubt baseless, have been aroused, and the sooner we all know in full detail what really to expect the sooner will industry and trade settle down in a systematic way to take advantage of the better times which, having their real origin in the Old Country, are gradually spreading through the Empire. All must realise the magnitude of the task the Government has set itself in introducing what it regards as an entirely new economic and social order of public affairs. At the same time, we were assured when Parliament opened that Cabinet was fully prepared with all the main measures required for bringing that new order into being. Despite this, however, there seems to be a good deal of hesitation about laying all its proposals before the people so that they may be studied in their inevitable relations to one another and with a view to the full understanding of them which alone can inspire anything like confidence. More especially is this the ease with respect to the question of public finance, as to which the people know literally nothing beyond the fact that the Government has taken to itself powers such as have been conferred on no previous Administration in this country.