UNEMPLOYMENT

Southland Times, Issue 19899, 18 June 1926, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE WHAT GOVERNMENT HAS DONE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW (From our Special Reporter.) Wellington, June 16. In accordance 'with their intention, expressed during the last few weeks, the Labour Party took an early opportunity of having the unemployment situation brought before Parliament. As soon as the formal business had been transacted this afternoon and the House was thrown open for questions, the Labourites bombarded the Prime Minister with a whole series of questions on the subject. In reply, the Prime Minister gave a comprehensive review of the measures that, were being adopted throughout the country to cope with the situation. Mr H. E. Holland asked the Prime Minis-, ter to inform the House what steps had been taken by the Government in assisting the unemployed in the main centres and other places where unemployment was in evidence and also, whether the award rates of wages were being paid. Further, the Leader of the Opposition was desirous of knowing how cases of distress were being dealt with. Replying, the Prime Minister said that at the outset a conference was called of departmental heads and it was decided that efforts would be co-ordinated in order to provide employment for men in need. At the same time the Government had advised that local bodies were expected to co-operate and in some cases a definite understanding had been come to. As far as Government work was concerned the rate of pay would be 14/- per day for married men and 10/per day for single men. A good deal of that work was being carried out on the cooperative system but the men were given a week or a fortnight to become accustomed to it before being placed on a contract basis. Dealing with the men absorbed in heavy work, Mr Coates said the Railway Department to date had employed 450 men and the Public Works Department 500, and before long that figure would be brought up to the 700 mark in the Wellington district, and covering such works as t|je Ngahauranga Gorge, Johnsonville-Tawa Flat deviation, Rimutaka hill and Palmerston North deviation, 155 men. He referred to the efforts that were being made by the Auckland City Council and adjacent local bodies. “Arrangements have been made,” added the Prime Minister, “that in connection with the work of the Highways Board, the sum of £lOO,OOO would be transferred to the credit of that body to enable it to come in and assist. This will be provided for later in the Imprest Bill.” The Prime Minister said endeavours would be made to bring about co-operation between the Government, local bodies employers and in the case of cities that matter was well under way. Mr Holland: What is done where the head of the family is incapacitated? In reply, the Prime Minister repeated his recent public announcement that cases in the category mentioned would come under purview of the social welfare committees and hospital boards. That had already been done in Wellington. However, added Mr Coates, the Government was anxious that all cases of distress shov'd possibly be met in a generous manner. Mr D. G. Sullivan, member for Avon, asked what steps the Government would be taking to validate the loans raised by local bodies to assist unemployed. In reply, the Prime Minister stated it was proposed to amend the law to deal with that point and possibly when the Imprest Bill was brought down it would contain the necessary provision. The Government wished the local bodies to start works as soon as possible. Quite a number had programmes out for commencing operations and the amendment he mentioned would enable a start to be made at once. He did not desire to make any statement referring to the State Advances Department being brought into the matter. Local authorities must make their own arrangements for their finance. The State could not undertake to provide all the money required for the financing of local bodies’ schemes. However, the Public Trustee had stated that he was quite willing to meet all reasonable demands. The State Fire Insurance would also be prepared _ to consider the question. He thought the arrangements contemplated would meet all urgent demands entailed in the commencement of the scheme. DONATION TO RELIEF COMMITTEE. (Special to Times.) Auckland, June 17. When a body of men are dealing daily with numerous cases of distress, it would not be a matter for surprise if on the surface they appeared to become callous. However, the staff of the Auckland branch of the Labour Department showed their practical sympathy with the unemployed by making a donation to the Unemployed Relief Committee, stating that they thought their action might also help in bringing home to the people the seriousness of the situation. The committee passed a special vote of thanks to the staff.