WORK NOT TO CEASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20903, 19 June 1931, Page 12

WORK NOT TO CEASE.

NO 7 . 5 BELIEF SCHEME.

TEMPORARY CONTINUANCE.

DECISION OF GOVERNMENT. \

MORE FUNDS FOR BOARD

BILL EARLY IN SESSION.

[nx TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Thursday,

The Unemployment Board's No. 5 Scheme :s to be temporarily continued. This fact was announced to-day by the Prime Minister.

In, the courso of his statement Mr. Forbes said th» Government had given further consideration to tho unemployment problem and to the numerous representations which had been made for a continuance of the scheme. Although tho facts of his previous statement and the reasons which led up to his announcement of the suspension of No. 5 scheme in no way had,been altered, tho Government, under the special circumstances and in view of tho wholehearted demand from all parts of tho Dominion, had decided upon a temporary continuance of the scheme.

One of tho first duties of Parliament would be to consider tho question of funds for the Unemployment Board, said Mr. Forbes, and the Government intended to bring down legislation at the earliest opportunity in the forthcoming session with that end in view.

"In the meantime, however, as a result of earnest representations and with a view tc( relieving the unfortunate position in which many of our people have been placed through lack of employment," continued the Prime Minister, "the Government has decided upon the continuance of tho scheme until such time as Parliament can deal with the problem of additional finance, which, based on tho large numbers of unemployed now to be dealt with, is essential.

"The Government realises its responsibility for stability and the increase of the unemployment funds will rest upon Parliament. As the session will «x&mnence within a week I have every booe that reasonable provision will bo made so that relief can be continued."

RESULT OF DECISION.

36,000 MEN CONCERNED.

ABOUT £60,000 INVOLVED,

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Thursday.

The Unemployment Board will adjourn for a week from to-morrow following upon the settlement of the question of providing work for the men employed under No. 5 scheme until Parliament lias an opportunity of voting more money for relief purposes.

Tho result of the decision of the Government, as announced by tho Prime Minister, to finance the scheme in tho interim is that more than 36,000 men who otherwise) would have been left without work will bo kept in employment for the present. The position is that the Unemployment Board canr.ot undertake any further commitments until more money has been ■ placed at its disposal by Parliament. It is estimated that about £60,000 will be required io finance No. 5 scheme and incidental work within the next ten days, nnd tho Prime Minister, first of all, will have to ask Parliament to sanction that expenditure From statements made by members of Parliament since the proposal to suspend 'No. 5 scheme was first made, it appears that the House will agree to the Government's action aud that Mr. Forbes' decision to keep the men working will meet with approval. Tho commitments already mado by the board will be met within tho next week, but beyond that its activities will bo severely limited. It is understood that the men working on farm lands under schemes 4A and 4B /•will remain in employment. According to official figures supplied to-day the board at present is financing the employment of 8327 men on farm lands. There are 6207 men working under schemes 4A and 48. and work is being found for 400 men ,bv tho Native Trust Department and for 220 by the Lands Department. In addition it is estimated by the board that there are at least 1500 men engaged in drainage work under No. 5 scheme in various parts of the country. ' Schemes 4 A and 4B arc regarded as of more than ordinary value by the board, in that the men are engaged in what will provo reproductive employment. Farm /labour is subsidised under scheme 4A, which had absorbed 5604 men, of whom 4318 were single, up to June 8. Subsidies paid under this scheme up to that, date Amounted to £73,998. /

* A total of 247 contracts, involving 603 men, had been let under scheme 413 tin to June 6, and Subsidies approved amounted to £6547. Subsidies have also been paid to the Native Trust Department to enable it to employ men on land development work.

GIFT FOE THE POOR

TRUCK-LOAD OF COAL

A truck-load of coal for distribution , nmong the poor and needy of Auckland 1 has been donated to Sister Esther by C. Aickin and Sons (Auckland), Limited. In acknowledging the gift Sister Esther, who is now working in co-operation with the Presbvterian Social Service Association, said.there was a great want of household firing at the present time. I.he coal has been carried bv (he Railways Department for half cost and is being distributed free by J. J. Craig, Limited. Similar gifts have been made by C. Aickin and Sons annually for more than ten years.

CLOTH IKO- AND FOOD NEEDED. CRIPPLED SOLDIER'S GIFT. [bv TELEGRAPH.—OWN correspondent.) WKLLIXGTON, Thursday. 'I he l!cd Cross Society on Saturday will conduct, a big "drive" for clothing and food for the needy. An ox-sold.er who has been on luii back since the war has sent in 16 paint , of children's shoes, made up from stockings, with the following note: "You will find enclosed 16 pairs of little shoes, which I hope will be of some use to yon for little ones in the city in these hard times. They arc, of course, made up of odds and ends, as you will see, but I hope they will be of some use. Good luck.—Cheerio." The shoos have already been sent out to children in need. A free soup kitchen is being opened to-morrow by the Salvation Army, which hopes to establish three such . kitchenii. It also proposes to open a rest-room fcr the benefit of men without shelter during the day ■ .Weather conditions at present arc vciy wintry, with penetrating rain and u cold /j yvmd from the south,