QUEENSLAND’S FINANCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 6 August 1931, Page 11

QUEENSLAND’S FINANCE

SOUND POSITION SYSTEM OF UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF “Queensland is in an excellent position compared with the other States of Australia. The Government anticipates a surplus of £200,000,” declared Pastor Stuart Stevens, who lias arrived in Christchurch from Brisbane to assume the ministry of the Church of Christ, Moorhou.se Avenue (reports the “Times”). Mr Stevens mentioned the steps taken in Queensland for the alleviation of unemployment. Originally there had been a dole, which could be obtained by any man who applied for it through the police. That system had proved unsatisfactory, and the Hon. R. M. King, Minister of Labour and Industries, had brought down a measure which required every man obtaining sustenance grants to work for the amount received at the rate of 14s a day. The men were engaged on loading work all over the State, the work being carried out in conjunction with local bodies. Under that arrangement, the married men were paid up to £2 a week. It was now necessary for the men to register and, when the scheme was brought in, it was discovered that large numbers of men had been obtaining the dole two or three times over by applying for it in different districts. CHURCHES CONTROL RELIEF

The wages earned on relief works were not all the men had to rely on. The distribution of goods and general relief had been placed by tho Government in the hands of the churches of the State. Representatives of the churches had formed themselves into a Social Service League and, although assisted financially by the Government, were not under its control in any way. Mr Stevens was definite in his opinion that the sane citizens of Sydney were prepared for the insurrections that were so confidently prophesied. When lie was in Sydney a week ago, he found the walls of buildings plastered with large notices—“ The Crash Comes on Ist August!” This was probably done, with the object of inspiring fear. It was not to he expected that anything serious would occur on Ist August, but it was possible that there might be serious developments at some time. The Sydney people were undoubtedly frightened.

FEAR OF REVOLT It was not the prospect of Mr Lang taking more of their money that was worrying them, but the fear of revolt. The police force had been. so reduced that it was at a lower strength than that of forty years, and the force had no hope of dealing with any really serious situation. “There is a brighter side of the pielure,” Mr Stevens continued. “I attended a meeting of the New Guard in the Sydney Town Hall a week ago. General Lloyd, member of the State Parliament of Parramatta, explained the objects of the Guard. It was a non-political organisation existing for tho protection of life and property, having the full approval of the police. It was stated at the meeting that the Guard had 2000 cars and 4000 men at call. General Llpyd said they were ready for whatever might occur.” The people of New South Wales did not blame Mr Lang altogether for the parlous condition of the State, but the general opinion was that he was not the man to restore order. The people were not opposed to the Labour movement but many men considered that the downfall of the Lang Government would he the best thing that could happen. Mr Lang himself had had to shift his residence to Rose Bay to avoid demonstrations outside his door.

VISITATION OF WRATH

Ex-Treasurer Stevens had said in the New South Wales Parliament that the State was suffering the visitation of Almighty wrath on account of the waywardness of the people and that the only solution was a return to national righteousness and individual morality. That view was largely supported. Others considered the State was suffering the aftermath of the war—a cycle of events that would puss in time. Mr Lang had admitted in private conversation that he had no prospect of carrying out his many pledges and the future of the State was entirely a matter for conjecture, although there were grounds for optimism. “I am anxious to see what will happen to-morrow over the payment of the civil servants, as it seems certain that Mr Lang will not have the money,” Mr Stevens added. Mr Stevens was eighteen months in Queensland as president of the Conference of the Associated Churches of Christ. He was stationed for a time at Canberra. Ills later education was received in Melbourne, where he graduated from the Church of Christ College.