PROBLEM OF RELIEF

Northern Advocate, 27 July 1934, Page 8

PROBLEM OF RELIEF

MR SULLIVAN’S BILL. i ■ ■ , ■ ■ I -GOVERNMENT CRITICISED. I INSURANCE SCHEME MENTIONED (Per Press Association. —Copyright.) WELLINGTON, Tins Day. The debate on Mr D. G. .Sullivan’s motion®for leave to introduce his Unemployment Amendment Bill was. continued in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr F. Langstone (Labour, W-aima-rino) spoke of the differentiation between city and country relief workers. He said the Government was 'taking advantage of the position, and had one policy for the city, where the men had an opportunity lo organise and secure the ear of those in authority, and another policy for the backbloeks, where no other assistance Avas available. Mr C. L. Carr (Labour, Timaru) said if the Government board capitalised its funds there would be more than sufficient to do all Mr Sullivan sought to do. If the Government was not prepared to raise an internal loan, what about taxation? He knew .that some classes were heavily taxed, but there were many people who would rather be taxed a little more than see the eases of hardship which were existing. The Prime Minister: “They can give voluntarily.” Mr Carr asked the Government why Now Zealand could not have an unemployment insurance system as existed in Britain. Mr E. .1, Howard (Labour, Christchurch South) said if the present policy was pursued he -cotild see nothing ahead but permanent vmemployi ment. Mr A. S. Richards (Labour, Roskill) said New Zealand was rapidly developing into CM nation. Children were growing up -suffering from preventable diseases boscanse of ill nourishment. Recently he ay as in the HaAvke ’s Bay district, and learned of wealthy landowners avlio Avere employing Indian Avorkera at 10/ a Aveek and receiving a subsidy, -Some of them came within the circle that received the benefit from the increased exchange rate. He said that incomes above £3OOO to £4OOO should be taxed to extinction during the present depression rather than allow little children to suffer. If Avar broke out Noav Zealand could find money for destructive purposes, and she Avas therefore under a moral obligation to find money for constructive purposes. Mr E. T. Kirikatenc (Independent, Southern Maori), said the difference iin relief allocations between the j Native and Pakeha races was a most | conspicuous matter, which called for j dose investigation. Mr P. G. Webb (Labour, Buller) agreed that the Maori should not receive less than the Pakclm. If discrimination Avas made the Maori should recei\'e the advantage. Mr P. Jones (Labour, Dunedin South), said the Government should dictate a policy to the Unemployment Board, Avhieh it seemed had been set up to act as a buffer. The cost of unemployment administration AA'as £05,000 iu 1033, and £112,000 in 1084. That did not include unemployed men who Avere working in employment offices at relief rates. Mr A. J. Stallworth}' (Independent, .Eden), said the Unemployment Board’s expenditure had departed too far from the control of the House, Avliich should have absolute control of the fund. Ho Avas satisfied there was plenty of use-' ful AA'ork available for all the unemployed throughout the Dominion. Work needed to be done, and if the Government eo-oporatod with local authorities the problem could be ended within n year. Mr W. J. Jordan (Labour, Manakau) said it Avas not enough to say that the Government was giving sustenance to the unemployed. The question was whether people Avere able to live on j the amount, and, based oh the Family Allowances Act, the rate of sustenance was inadequate. ! The debate was interrupted by the ! adjournment.