UNEMPLOYED POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21855, 18 July 1934, Page 13

UNEMPLOYED POLICY

USEFUL WORK PREFERRED LOCAL BODY RESPONSIBILITY [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The Unemployment Board's action in placing some Christchurch relief workers on sustenance rates, a course which has been severely criticised from several quarters, was taken, it is understood, because the men affected were not being employed ,jl on works which were considered suitable or productive.

The sustenance scheme does not satisfy the board more than local bodies administering relief, and there is good reason to believe that if these local bodies found work which could be approved by the board; the derated men would be taken on again at ordinary relief rates of pay.

The Unemployment Board regards it as the responsibility of local bodies to keep their men engaged on reasonably suitable work, and it is stated to be willing to assist wherever this work meets with its approval. Christchurch is the latest city to bo affected by the sustenance scheme, and the Unemployment Board is not surprised that there has been some outcry against its extension. Such protests were forthcoming when some Wellington men were placed on sustenance more than a year ago, and when the same system was extended to Auckland some months back.

The Unemployment Board, it is believed, dislikes placing these men , on sustenance rates of pay, but it has an even greater objection to spending money on works which cannot be regarded as productive or useful.

PROPOSAL FOR INQUIRY PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Tuesday An inquiry into the unemployment problem by a committee of members from all sections of tho House was suggested by Mr. R. A. Wright (Independent—Wellington Suburbs) in tho House of Representatives to-day. JVIr. Wright intends to ask the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, to appoint such a committee and allow it to make its inquiry in a non-party spirit with a view to suggesting a plan whereby those at present unemployed might be reabsorbed in useful occupations at reasonable wages.