NOT PERMANENT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17237, 17 April 1930, Page 7

NOT PERMANENT

UNEMPLOYMENT IN N.Z. MINISTER OPTIMISTIC "COULD BE ELIMINATED" ■Referring to unemployment when a deputation from the Trades and Labor Council waited upon him at Auckland, the Minister of Labor, the Hon. W. A. Voiteh, said the Government recently had a report from the Unemployment Committee that fully inquired into the problem, ami while it could not accept all the recommendations, the Government would have a comprehensive measure prepared, a measure that would have the effect of making a substantial sum of money available for the relief of unemployment year by vear. Mr. Savage: What about the present winter? Next year will be too late. Mr. Voiteh said he could not .say a great deal about the legislation that was pending., It had boon before Cabinet several times, but there were many difficulties to be got over. The Government was doing the best it could and meant to handle the matter comprehensively. As far as the elimination of unemployment was concerned, he did not agree witli those people who considered unemployment was a permanent feature of life in New Zealand. In his judgment it could be eliminated. Mr. Savage: Take a leaf out of Mr. Scullin's book.

The Minister said he would listen to anvone who could give him a hint. He thought we could develop many industries in New Zealand, and instanced the carbonisation of coal as one that the Government was assisting in every way. If it was carried into effect, and he believed it would be, then the Dominion could use 100 per cent, of its own coal. Last year the Dominion imported 250,000 tons of coal, and if that were rendered unnecessary it would mean f>oo more mem at work in the Kcw Zealand mines. Other industries could also be fostered; "It is nonsense to say that unemployment has to be a permanent feature of life in New Zealand," said the Minister. "We are going to try all we can do to eliminate it."