BETTER OUTLOOK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21893, 31 August 1934, Page 13

BETTER OUTLOOK

UNEMPLOYED POSITION FINDING WORK FOR MEN STATE BUILDING PROGRAMME IMPROVED HOUSING SCHEMES [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] WELLINGTON. Thursday Unemployment topics were introduced in the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill in the House of Representatives to-night. Mr. P. Eraser (Labour —Wellington Central) said the Budget revealed a disgraceful state of affairs. The Unemployment Board, when representations were made to it, said it had no money, a statement that was very misleading. Ho did not think that Ministers of the Crown were parties to what was, on the face of it, a deliberate policy of deception on the part of the Unemployment Board. People had been driven to the direst need. They could not secure clothes for themselves, and their children had no boots, shoes or bedclothes. The Labour Party considered that a reduction in the wages tax should never have been made until the unemployed were properly provided for. The board had ample funds to make better provision for the unemployed. He asked if the Minister of Finance would reconsider the present position. The defence voto was being increased by £260,000, but what had unemployed workers to defend ? He asked the Minister first to defend the homes of the people and give them something worth defending. Shelter Behind Board Mr. A. M. Samuel (Independent — Thames) said the Government seemed content to shelter behind the Unemployment Board. There were dozens of schemes that could be evolved to put every unemployed man into profitable work. "The position as far as the unemployed are concerned is such as to give them a much better outlook than was the case last year," said the Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates, when replying. The number of men registered as unemployed showed a definite reduction compared with last year, and the amount of relief given under sustenance grants was greater to-day than it was a year ago. There had been an increase in the Public Works vote to £3,500,000. In addition, other Government proposals covered a building programme running into some hundreds of thousands of pounds. The balance in the Unemployment Fund at the end of this year was estimated to be £400,000. Actually, then, the financial position in connection with unemployment would be better, even with the reduction of 2d in the wag 6 tax. An Economic Proposition

Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Labour — Christchurch East): it could be a lot better still. Mr. Coatcs: It will be much better. After all, we want to get the men back into their trades and normal occupations. These works that are to be put in hand by the Government offer an opportunity We are able to borrow money at a reasonable rate. It is an economic proposition for the Government to carry this proposed building programme through to completion. The position actually as far as relief workers are concerned is; much better than it has been for some time past.

Continuing, the Minister said that, if local bodies would undertake the preparation of plans for better housing conditions in boroughs and cities, the Government would prepared to associate itself with such work, provided that practical schemes could be evolved. Mr. W. E. Parry (Labour —Auckland Central): How much money will you give? Mr. Coates: We have not limited ourselves to any amount. The Government feels that building activity will probably be the best form of labour, because it affects nearly every other industry. Mr. Parry: I have a big area in my district which can be rebuilt. Mr. Coates: I know of some schemes in your district, and they are being discussed with a view to determining whether the local body concerned can carry out its part. SALES OF HANSARD ONLY ItS SUBSCRIBERS [BY TELECRAPH SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Thursday Hansard has not yet emerged into the class of "best seller." The annual report of the Printing and Stationery Department, tabled in the House of Representatives to-day, states that 7225 copies of each issue were printed. The number of subscribers was 115 and the amount received from subscriptions and sales was £ll7. The department showed a on its whole activities of £11,534,_ after allowing for interest and depreciation. There was a steady influx of orders during the year, with little variation in the volume of work. Special steps were taken to avoid overtime wherever possible.

PROTECTING WORKERS RIGHTS OF EMPLOYERS [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Thursday The Wages Protection and Contractors Liens Amendment Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day by Mr. P. Fraser (Labour —Wellington Central). The bill proposes that it shall be unlawful for an employer to require from a worker any sum of money or other protection against loss incurred by the employer by reason of any action of the worker or any other person. The bill also stipulates that any bond, deed or agreement binding the worker in cases of this nature shall be null and void. The bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Labour Bills Committee. BOBBY CALVES QUESTION OF SELLING [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Thursday A question whether the Minister of Agriculture would make an immediate investigation into the position regarding the sale of bobby calves in NewZealand was asked in the of Representatives to-day by lUr. W. Nash (Labour —Hutt). Mr. Nash said it was stated that one large freezing works had been selling bobby calves to dealers, who were reselling to retail butchers for sale in New Zealand. The Hon. C. E. Maemillan replied that the Department of Agriculture would take all necessary measures to enforce the law in regard to the sale of meat. If Mr. Nash would supply the necessary information an investigation would be made.