UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3859, 28 February 1928, Page 16

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

DISCUSSED AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, February 23. Unemployment and unemployment insurance provided topics for a lengthy discussion at the annual meeting T .he Auckland Chamber of Commerce to-day. “ It is universally admitted that msurance is no cure for unemployment. In fact, any such form of insurance, if uot inherently vicious, at least tends to aggravate aud perpetuate trouble,” said Mr 11. T. . Merritt, the newly-elected president of the chamber, when defending the attitude of th chamber toward the scheme. “ Unemployment is not chronic in New Zealand as in other countries.” Mr Merritt said it was misleading to compare unemployment insurance with other forms of insurance. Obviously he said, any scheme carrying national endowment or contribution, and where costs of administration-were borne by the State, was certainly not insurance in the ordinary sense of the term. “ The cure for unemployment is work, and it should be provided for those in need,’* he added. “There should be work enough to go round in a young, undeveloped country like New Zealand. If, on the other hand, it can be shown that unemployment is going to be an acute and chronic problem in New Zealand,

then need for an unemployment insurance scheme is established. However, I do not think any responsible person will admit that it is going to be an acutely chronic problem here.” He added’ that he had opposed the resolution carried recently at a representative meeting urging the Government to take immediate steps to introduce 'a' National Unemployment Insurance Bill}because he felt that, while the.chamber desired every investigation, it' did not wish to risk the introduction of some hasty, ill-considered measure. That action by Mr Merritt was endorsed by the council of the chamber when it met after the annual meeting. A letter was received from the Prime Minister in reply to a communication from the chamber -regarding unemployment. Mr Coates pointed out that the only people eligible for assisted passages -s since the restrictions on immigration were imposed .ere separated families, domestic servants, and Flock House, Salvation Army, and Chr.rcli of England scheme boys. Since June 1, 23 ships carrying 5321 passengers, had arrived from England, but assisted immigrants had uumbered only 2099.