RECOVERY PLAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22293, 20 June 1934, Page 4

RECOVERY PLAN

ABSORPTION OF UNEMPLOYED SUGGESTIONS BY ROTARY (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 19. Notary in New Zealand set up a special committee in September last to make a survey of the unemployment situation and investigate the possibilities of promoting new and extending present industries in order to absorb the unemployed. The committee brought down an exhaustive report for the consideration of the annual conference held in New Plymouth in March last, and as a result the committee was asked to consider the question further, and take such steps to implement the decisions arrived at as commended themselves to the judgment of members. The committee, which consisted of Rotariana T. C. List (Governor of Rotary in the Dominion), Earle Vaile (Rotorua), Dan Bryant (Hamilton), Olaf Holst (Wanganui), H. French (Hastings), W. G. Black and Fred Nathan (Palmerston North), C. M'Lcod (New Plymouth), and Sir Joseph Smith (Auckland) recently met in Palmerston North and again examined the situation in the light of recent developments and passed the following resolutions:— “ (1) That the whole system of relief as at present carried on should be recogsidered, as it is tending to perpetuate unemployment with its accompanying hardships and demoralising influence on the lives and attitude of the men and their families.”

“ (2) That unless planned work of a. constructive nature is provided the Dominion must permanently have the care of a large proportion of the present unemployed as well as having an increase in the number of young people on its hands.” a .

“ To meet or to mitigate substantially the problems the committee recommends —

“(3) The immediate adoption of a system of subsistence farming on the lines successfully initiated, in Napier and Hastings.” “ (4) The provision of farm training, for boys by the establishment in suitable centres of modified Flock Houses and the creation in the schools of * land mindedness ’ amongst the rising generation.” . i « (5) The development of our national resources commencing with fa) Afforestating blocks of land alongside established communications that have gone back into second growth and coastal land that is now being overwhelmed by sand; (b) goldminiug on a comprehensive scale; (c) the growing of selected flax; (d) an extension of the fishing industry; (e) the tinning of foodstuffs now imported.” “(6) That active and adequate support be given to the scientific research organisations in investigating the prospects and possibilities of other industries and extending the present ones.” “(7) That if found necessary, temporary subsidies out of the unemployment funds be given to economically sound and promising existing or new industries, but that the granting of subsidies be conditional on due regard being paid to the effect on other industries and to th» internal requirements of the public. For this end the committee suggests the setting up of an industrial board of _ development in order to co-ordinate various industrial activities and advise the Government.” “(8) That immediate attention be given to the necessity for the development of the tourist resources of the Dominion and to this end co-operation is suggested between transportation (i.e., shipping, railways, and motor services) and also the tourist agencies and hotels.” . “(9) That efforts be made to, find profitable work for the women who arc now contributing to the Unemployment Fund, and that consideration be given to making provision for the establishment of domestic training institutions in the various centres.” “(10) That in the meantime the committee urges the adoption of the Bristol scheme, which aims at helping established trades to keep their work-people employed and to putting money into circulation.” , . “ If the Government or the Unemployment Board decides to give effect to a programme following a co-ordinated national recovery plan along the lines suggested, Rotary in the Dominion offers its hearty support and co-operation, but in the promotion of snch plan the committee desires to emphasise the importance of possessing vision of the ultimate objectives and tbe social importance of not allowing profits and material considerations to affect human values and the social well-being of the community.”