UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20309, 17 July 1929, Page 10

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF.

THE OFFER TO CITIES.

SUBSIDY BASIS UNCHANGED,

DECISION OF GOVERNMENT.

HEAVY DEMANDS ON STATE

[BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. "After fully considering tho matter I must reluctantly adhere to my former decision," said the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, in announcing in the House of Representatives this afternoon that he could not agree to the request that tho Government's offer of £25,000 for unemployment relief in each of tho four centres should be wholly on a pound for pound basis. A deputation representative of tho Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin City Councils waited on tho Prime Minister last week, pointing out tho difficulties in taking full advantage of the subsidies, which were payable only in wages. It was shown that to obtain the Government's £25,000 each city council would have to spend at least twico that sum, and it was asked that tho Government should make available £25.000, provided the municipalities made available, a similar sum, thus enabling a £50.000 relief scheme to be undertaken in each city. The question was raised again to day, when Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) asked whether the Prime Minister had yet reached a decision. In explaining why he had been compelled to adhere to his former decision, tho Prime Minister said the demands on the country's resources were very heavy at the present time, and he did not feci warranted in extending the scope of tho subsidies in the manner sought. It was taking the Government all its time to meet the demands already made. Another question dealing with unemployment relief work was asked by Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central), who drew attention to a report that the Wairau River Board, which had been aided by a subsidy from the Government, was paying workers 12s and 9s a day, as under the Reform administration. "I will ascertain what the position is," said the Prime Minister. "If 12s and 9s is being paid the subsdy will not be continued." POSITION AT WHANGAREI. MORE STATE HELP WANTED.

[r.T TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHANGAREI. Tuesday. A statement on the unemployment position at Whangarei was made by tho Mayor, Mr. W. Jones, at meeting of the Whangarei Borough Council last evening, There were 55 married men registered on tho books, said the Mayor, Lut prospects of improvement were offered by the fact that work would commence during the week on Keay's Deviation, Paparoa, which would he likely to absorb between 30 and 50 men. The chairman of the Works Committee and the staff had been very helpful in assisting him to do the best possible for the distressed men, said Mr. Jones, but whereas the Government had been asked for a grant of £ISOO, on which the council was prepared to give £1 for £l, only £SOO had been given, and this for labour alone. Ho was afraid that unless the number of unemployed decreased further requests would have to be made.

CHRISTCHURCH APPEAL.

" POSITION DESPERATE.'J

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday.

A mass meeting of unemployed this morning decided to telegraph to the Prime Minister stating that the position of unemployed' is desperate in the city. " In the namo of suffering they said in their telegram, "we earn* cstly urge the Government to subsidise pound for pound ail moneys expended on approved relief work."