UNEMPLOYMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 281, 26 October 1934, Page 6

UNEMPLOYMENT.

SECOND READING OF BILL.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 25. In the House of Representatives this evening, urgency was accorded the second reading of the Unemployment Amendment (No. 2) Bill. Mr J. O’Brien contended that some definite scheme should be put in hand and something shown for the money expended. The people -would soon become tired of paying taxation year after year with nothing to show for it. The number of unemployed was being reduced very little. Mr E. J. Howard said there was a tendency to look on unemployment as a permanency. Nothing was being done to find a way out of the difficulties. He considered many local bodies were doing permanent works which would be “white elephants” and would leave a burden on generations to come.

Mr A. S. Richards criticised the complicated nature of the forms relief workers were expected to fill in. Mr TV. Nash contended that if the work was important it should pay standard rates. If it was not necessary, it should not be done. Mr Nash appealed to the Minister to abolish all subsidies and suggested the Unemployment Board should pay full rates to as many men as it could find useful public works for and pay the balance of the money available to the remainder of the men as sustenance. After midnight, Messrs H. G. R. Mason and D. W. Coleman spoke. Hon. J. A. Young, in reply, said investigations were being made into the conditions of country relief workers. It was hoped to abolish the standdown week and enable the worker to earn a little more.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY PAY. The board will distribute as a Christmas bonus approximately £65,000, the Minister added. “That is in addition to any work the men may get during the holidays.” Regarding compensation, the board nad approved that compensation be not less than sustenance rates in the cities and No. 5 scheme rates in the country. The Unemployment Bill was read the second time.