DOLE IN GERMANY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20766, 8 January 1931, Page 9

DOLE IN GERMANY.

AN IMPOSSIBLE POSITION.

SUPPORT WITHOUT RETURN. (Received January 7. 11.15 p.m.) BERLIN. Jan. 7. " It is in theory and in practice impossible to continue spending 3,000,000,000 marks (about £150,000,000) a year to support an army of workless people without return," said the Finance Minister, Herr Hermann Dietrich, in a speech at Stuttgart, which is interpreted as the death-knell of the dole.

Herr Dietrich contends that if a large proportion of the money were expended on" raw material it would provide considerable employment at rates slightly below the dole for the labour army. It is understood that a majority of the Coalition Cabinet supports the idea. Dr. Dietrich suggests that the dole money be used for the benefit of vital industries, such as those engaged in the production of raw materials or those which consume the most important raw materials. In this way the money would go toward lowering the costs of production.

A Government contribution might be made for every worker additionally employed. Ho argued that no harm could be done if the experiment were tried over a period of a few months. "I know my proposals will precipitate a storm," he said, "but action is necessary when 4,000,0(30 are in danger and despair. We must increase production."