UNEMPLOYMENT

Southland Times, Issue 21420, 15 June 1931, Page 7

UNEMPLOYMENT

NUMBER FIVE SCHEME. CONSTERNATION CAUSED. LOCAL BODIES ANXIOUS. The announcement that the Government will be compelled to suspend No. 5 scheme for the relief of the unemployed has caused consternation in the ranks of the unemployed and grave anxiety to members of local bodies. In view of the fact that the scheme will not be suspended until a few days before the commencement of the coming session it is hoped that the Government will bring down legislation for the reinstatement of relief works before any other business of the session is done. As there are a large number of registered unemployed receiving sustenance employment under the City Council his Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller) is especially desirous of having something done and telegraphed the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) and the Minister of Labour (the Hon. S. G. Smith) on Saturday asking for a speedy resumption of assistance. “Your announcement that the No. ’5 scheme is to be suspended is regarded with alarm by the unemployed, .my council, and the Invercargill Unemployment Committee,” the message to Mr Smith stated. "I would respectfully suggest that, the Government having by special legislation assumed responsibility for dealing with unemployment, the task should be carried through. The public has already contributed through the levy, and local bodies cannot possibly bear the burden now sought to be imposed upon them. I would urge that your decision be reconsidered.”

To the Prime Minister, Mr Miller telegraphed: “Strongly protest against the suspension of the unemployment No. 5 scheme. My council is at present employing approximately 400 unemployed. These are engaged under No. 5 scheme. The unemployed are dependent on the scheme for sustenance. I urge that in the interests of the country the scheme be continued.”

It is thought possible that the Government may introduce an amendment to the Unemployment Act, increasing the levy, to enable money to be advanced for unemployment schemes during the winter. Ar there are already over 40,000 registered, unemployed in the Dominion it is the general opinion that something will have to be done to provide them with sustenance. The Invercargill R.S.A. will provide for the unemployed returned soldiers already engaged through the association for the few days between the suspension of the scheme and the opening of Parliament. REPLY RECEIVED CONSIDERATION PROMISED. Mr Miller stated yesterday that he had received a reply from the Prime Minister which stated that his telegram had been received and his representations noted. The matter would receive the earnest consideration of the Government. POSITION IN WELLINGTON. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, June 13. The Mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) stated to-day that the carrying on of the present City relief works giving employment to over 1800 men depends on a continuance of the No. 5 Scheme and if that scheme is to be suspended on June 20 the men will be compelled to apply to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board as the Corporation has no funds available. The only possible way which the men could be given work is by the No. 5 Scheme. • The Mayor stresses the fact also that if the No. 5 Scheme should be continued some of the Government restrictions should be removed to enable work reasonably necessary at the present time to be undertaken instead of work which is more or less unnecessary.