PARLIAMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 63, 10 February 1933, Page 7

PARLIAMENT

TO-DAY’S SITTING.

PLIGHT OF UNEMPLOYED,

MORE RELIEF SOUGHT.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Feb. 10. The House of Representatives met at at 10.30 a.m. Mr W. E. Barnard asked the Minister of Employment, in view of the altered conditions of the unemployed, what steps he would take in order that the unemployed and those dependent upon them might live. He said the rates of pay under the No. 5 scheme for the current week in many towns would be for A class men (single) is 6d, for B class men (wife only to wife and two children or wife and more than three- children), from 36s 3d to 40s. Many of the necessaries of life in such towns had been increased in price this week by 30 per cent, and more, and the cumulative effect of the lowered relief pay and higher living costs had been to render it almost impossible to live.

The Minister said he fully appreciated the difficulties under which the unemployed were labouring and their inability to make both ends meet with the allocations they were receiving. It had to be remembered, however, that in a number of cases the rates were higher than in some of the country districts.

“We are spending to-day an average weekly allocation which is greater than our average weekly income,” the Minister said. “In these icrcumstances it is difficult to see how the allocations can bo increased at the present time.” He pointed out that relief works did not occupy the full time of the men who, accordingly, had an opportunity of earning something outside relief /work. Although the unemployed were having a hard time there were others who were in exactly the. same position. Mr Barnard: The unemployed are nearing starvation point. The Minister: I agree. AN EDUCATION BILL. The Education Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor-General’s message. Replying to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr H. E. Holland, the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, said it was mainly a machinery Bill. It contained regulations for the establishment and control of intermediate schools and provision was made for advances to training college students. With respect to misconduct, teachers were placed on the same footing as public servants. Another clause enabled children to commence attendance at school at the beginning of the term during which they attained the age of six years. Mr J. A. Lee asked -whether the clause relating to misconduct meant that teachers would not be allowed to express opinions concerning legislative proposals of any Government. Mr Forbes said the object of this clause was to give boards power to deal with teachers who absented themselves from duty. At the present time there was power to dismiss but not suspend teachers, and as the former penalty might be unduly severe, power was given for the suspension of teachers -who offended in the direction indicated. The Bill was read the. first time. - SMALL FARM' SETTLEMENT. The House went into Committee on the Small Farms Bill and the Municipal Corporations Bill. Members expressed fear that the provision in the Small Farms Bill in respect of the use of the Unemployment Board’s funds would result in a reduction of the allocations for the cities.

Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates said he did not think the amount paid to any settler would be more than 25s weekly and the average would be less than that. It would be less than the amount paid if the settlers had remained on ordinary relief work. It was proposed to use the framework of the Bill to settle men with, say, £SOO capital, but! these men would not receive assistance from the Unemployment Fund.