UNEMPLOYMENT BILL

Southland Times, Issue 21178, 3 September 1930, Page 6

UNEMPLOYMENT BILL

CONSIDERATION BY HOUSE. AMENDMENTS OUTLINED. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter). Wellington, September 2. Discussion on the Unemployment Bill was resumed in the House of Representatives this evening when a number of amendments to the Bill were introduced by the Governor-General’s message. Explaining the amendments the Minister of Labour (the Hon. S. G. Smith) said that all pensioners would be exempt from contributing to the fund. Another amendment provided that no person associated with the board to assist it in its operations should have the right to vote. The third amendment would give the board authority to assist development or other works in addition to undertaking new works. A new clause was provided to give authority for the advance of £1,000,000 from the Consolidated Fund to the Unemployment Fund for the purpose of bringing the Act into immediate operation. No interest was to be payable on this money, but all money advanced would be repayable out of the Unemployment Fund. When determined by the Minister of Finance a new sub-clause would be introduced to restrict sustenance allowance to persons who have resided in the country for six months. A further sub-section would permit the board to pay sustenance allowance to a man’s wife if that course was considered necessary.