UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22059, 15 March 1935, Page 12

UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM

DISCUSSION BY HOUSE MANY DEPUTATIONS HEARD PRECAUTIONS BY POLICE [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL JlEronTEU] WELLINGTON, Thursday A promise to set aside ono day for discussion on unemployment bofore the session closes was readily made by the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, when the Leader of tho Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, asked him a question on the subject in the House of Representatives to-day. The main reason for the request was the unusual number of representations made to Ministers and other members of Parliament on tho question in the past week or so. Unemployed associations and relief workers' wives had met tho acting-Minister of Employment, members of tho Unemployment Board and members of Parliament.

Another opportunity to tho unem- • ployed to place their views before members was given to-day when the social hall in Parliament Buildings was made available for tho purpose. Proceedings have been conducted in a very orderly fashion, but comprehensive safeguarding measures have been taken by tho Police Department. For instance, foxseveral hours to-day it was almost impossible for strangers to enter tho buildings, and the unusual course was taken of closing tho entrance to the public gallery. But that precaution was later relaxed.

Widespread comment has been made at the large-scale police protection thrown round Parliament Buildings. One of th? leading Cabinet Ministers, on leaving for luncheon to-day, was surprised to find one of the main exits locked. Ho ordered it to be opened and remarked, "This is making the Government and Parliament look silly."

NEW POLICY URGED CHRIST CHURCH RESOLUTIONS [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday A conference of representatives of relief organisations, the Churches and local bodies received a deputation from the Canterbury Unemployed Relief Workers' Association in tho City Council chambers yesterday. Later a resolution was passed stating that the conference was strongly of opinion that the policy of dealing with unemployment in New Zealand should be changed. It urged on tho Government that all relief workers should receive an additional payment of 10s a week, with a corrtesponding increase for those on sustenance, and that the No. 5 scheme should bo gradually withdrawn, to bo replaced without delay by suitable public works of a reproductive nature, such as the completion of railway lines, highway construction, irrigation and drainage, with payment at standard rates.

The Cliristchurch Presbytery also passed a resolution declaring that responsibility for the full maintenance of tho unemployed should be undertaken by the State.