UNEMPLOYMENT STATEMENT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 October 1931, Page 5

UNEMPLOYMENT STATEMENT.

PROMISED POR TUESDAY. THE CASE OF TEACHERS. (By Telegraph —Press Association.) WBLLINiGTONj, Friday. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 a.m. Replying to an interjection from Mr Sullivan (Lab.), Mr.'Coates (Minister of Unemployment) said he would probably be making his unemployment statement on Tuesday. Mr W. Nash (Lab., Hutt) drew attention to unemployment among- members of the teaching profession, and asked whether the Government < could ameliorate the position, by reducing the size of classes. Mr Foiibes (Prime Minister), said that the number of lar,ge classes had been reduced considerably in the last few years. There were at present only 83 classes consisting of over 60 pupils, as compared with 574 classes of that size in 1924. Further progress would have been made in this direction had it not been for the financial situation. The Prime Minister also stated that there had been no reduction below the staffing regulations. Mr W. Nash: The Department is not employing relieving teachers as in the past. TRAINING COLLEGE ENTRANTS TO BE REDUCED. Mr Forbes said there might have been a reduction in the employment of relieving teachers for the purpose of ■effecting economies. It was proposed, in view of the unemployment among teachers, to reduce the numbers entering Training 'Colleges and the effect of this step should very soon be felt. The Rural Intermediate Credit Amendment Bill (Mr Forbes) was put through committee with minor adjustments. LABOUR SHARES IN COMPANIES The Hon. A. Hamilton moved the second reading of the Companies Empowering Amendment Bill. He said it would simplify the procedure in regard to granting lalbour shares. It was formerly stipulated that labour shares could not be granted unless the company was authorised to do so by ;its memorandum of association. The Bill would enable shares to be granted unless the memorandum of association stipulated otherwise. Mr Savage (Labour) viewed the Bill with suspicion in view of the reference to the Arbitration Court in the Supplementary Budget. He thought the measure might be utilised to take advantage of conditions laid down by" the Arbitration Court and suggested that it might be held over in the meantime.

The debate was interrupted by the 'adjournment of the House at 1 p.m.