UNEMPLOYED INSURANCE

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 171, 8 July 1909, Page 5

UNEMPLOYED INSURANCE

A Government Scheme. The Hon. J. A. Millar, during the course of an interview at Wellington on Monday said that he was preparing legislation for a national scheme of insurance against unemployment from system* which have operated successfully in some parts of Europe. "Those most affected by unemployment can, through their unions, subscribe to a fund," explained the Minister. "There must be large groups of the different trades providing insurance against unemployment in those particular industries. I have not gon*» into the matter sufficiently yet to be able to present a detailed scheme to Cabinet, which would be effective to deal with New Zealand conditions, hot Germany bas socccsaully worked out the problem, and so has Switzerland. I also notice that Mr Churchill in Great Britain propose* to bring in a Bill on similar lines. In Germany the employer, the workerr. and the State combine to coni tribute to the unemployment fond, and the workers have the biggest check upon its expenditure, because they contribute the largest portion of the money. They are consequently careful 1 that no benefit goes to the undeserving. I will try to idapt from the«e examples a scheme suited to the Dominion, and I nope to have the measure ready by the coming session," said the Minister. "The great trouble one bas to deal with in this matter is what might be termed the purely casual labourer, working a few hours at a tlm*, ; possibly on a ship today and on a house tomorrow. I have worked out one method by which the workers would pay sixpence per week, the employers a similar amount, and the State about one third oft hese contributions. This wottJd gtve a fund of between £60,000 and 170,000 daring the first year.