AID FOR UNEMPLOYED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20902, 18 June 1931, Page 12

AID FOR UNEMPLOYED.

r A TEMPORARY SCHEME.

RELIEF UNTIL HOUSE MEETS.

PRIME" MINISTER'S PROMISE.

AN' EARLY" ANNOUNCEMENT.

[BY .-TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] .WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

An anßOuncemenfc is expected to be made by the Government to-morrow concerning steps to be taken to assist tinemployed men between next Saturday, when the Unemployment Board's No. 5 scheme •will cease, nnd the allocation by Parliament Of'more money'for relief purposes;'' Replying to si deputation representing public bodies in Palm'erston North find the surrounding district, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, said to-day that the Cabinet was to conproposals for carrying on a modified scheme, and the decision reached would be announced immediately. Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., urged that something should be done to carry on the No. 5 scheme until more money was provided by-Parliament. This would mean the expenditure of about £60,000. There was not • tho slightest doubt that Parliament would ratify any action taken by the

Govprnmont.

Wider Scope of Levy.

Mr. A. E. Mansford, Mayor of Palracrston North,' said thcro was no reason .why the payment of tho unemployment "levy should not be oxtonded to those under th& age of 21. One was struck with the numbet 1 of young people at places of nriiiisement, and there was nothing to show why they should not bo asked to contribute.' The levy could be imposed at a reduced rate, say, threepence in tho pound, on a rising scale.. There were about 28,000 youths. between the ages of 18 and. 21, and their contributions would bring in a large amount.... - Mr. Forbos said it was no uso pretending there was plenty ot'-monoy available. It was as well for people to know there was no. money. Local bodies and other organisations had been asked to help until Parliament authorised the expenditure of more nfoney; but since then many had communicated with him saying it was impossible for them to do more. The Cost of Living. Mr.,- Forbes .saicf. he had .previously ap-pealed-to employers to pass - on.the benefits. of lower wages, and ha w.IS informed /they wore passing it on in the form of reduced juices. ' He had also appealed to J landlords to reduce rents, and he hoped this-was being done. As the cost of living foil the vaWe of money rose,'and it was hoped'that a readjustment would be made all round. The Prime Minister said, he was hopeful that some portion of the No. 5 scheme could bo carried on so that .the full burden, .would not fall on local bodies. At the same, time it was reasonable to ask them tii help. He had no fear . that his actions., .would not bo endorsed by Parliament;., the only difficulty was that of the national finances generally. He was hopeful that he would be able to make a statement to-morrow on the position.

NO FUNDS AVAILABLE.

AUCKLAND LOCAL BODIES.

UNABLE. TO BRIDGE GAP.

...The-principal local.authorities in Auck-land-have no funds-available for keeping

relief Workers employed until tho resumption of No. ;5 scheme and the Prime Minister, tho Rt.- Hon, -G. W>. Forbes, has-beeir advised accordingly.

In consequence of suggestions from the 'Auckland, Transport. Board and the Henderson Town Board that a conference of local bodies should be held to discuss the position, the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. C>AW. Hutchison, yesterday consulted the Mayors of the four nearest suburban boroughs and sent the following telegram to the: Prime Minister"Referring to a local suggestion that I convene a meeting of local authorities to discuss unemployment, I have consulted the Mayors of Mount Eden, Mount Albert, Newmarket and One Tree Hill, who define their position as similar to that of my council, namely, that all available funds are earmarked for special purposes and that'it is impossible to provide funds to employ additional men during the suspension of No. 5 scheme. They agree t that under the circumstances a conference would be abortive."

In view of the distress among Auckland City ratepayers, some of whom art! finding great difficulty in moeting their rate accounts, the Mayor has decided to ask the Works Committee of the City Council to consider giving preference to applicants of this class in any casual work that becomes available. Mr. Hutchison stated yesterday that it was desirable to help ratepayers as far as possible to meet their obligations. If many of them failed to do so. the fall iri the council's revenue ■would be considerable.

. Mr., Hutchison yesterday received tlu following formal reply from the Prime Minister to his telegram of the previous day urging that the unemployment situation' be treated as a national calamity requiring . emergency measures:—"Have received your, telegram and have noted your representations concerning unemployment, Whole matter is jt present roceiving earnest consideration of Government."

DISTRIBUTION OF AID,

OVERLAPPING PREVENTED

The distribution of relief, in the shape of food and clothing, to distressed families has assumed unprecedented proportions in Auckland, and the social workers engaged in this work have perfected an excellent organisation. Thirty-eight of the leading organisations participating are now operating under what is claimed to be an absolutely "fool proof" system. The Auckland Business Men's Relief Service,- whiWi handles charitable contributions mado "by tho business people of the city, now maintains an office in Probert Chambers, where a card-index is kept

recording the names and addresses of all ' persons in receipt of aid from the 38 organisations affiliated with the Auckland Social Workers' Association. Upon a .clairn being made on any of those organisations for assistance, a telephone call to .J.his office at once elicits the informa- '/ tion whether the claimant is already in receipt of charitable aid and from whom. Thus it is no longer possible for a pernon to obtain a weekly supply of food from ■' ojie organisation and supplement the gift with another ration of food from another

'organisation..- -The-'system co-ordinates the social-activities 'of the* "city",-' effects '-cfiono roics and makes the supply- of -iaid • go further than it has done before.