NEW ZEALAND’S PLAN ADMIRED

Southland Times, Issue 23178, 20 April 1937, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND’S PLAN ADMIRED

Placement Scheme For Relief

ADOPTION IN VICTORIA RECOMMENDED

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received April 19, 8.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 19.

The Victorian Minister of Labour (Mr E. S. Mackrell) on his return from New Zealand expressed admiration of the Dominion’s placement scheme for dealing with unemployment.

“I think it will fit well into our scheme and intend to recommend its adoption to the Victorian Government,” said Mr Mackrell. He was impressed by New Zealand’s prosperity, and commented on the pride of citizens in their property. Mr Mackrell was in New Zealand for a fortnight studying the placement scheme. He is satisfied with its efficacy, and was informed that since its inauguration at the end of last May positions have been found for 30,000 persons, 13,000 of those being permanent positions in private employment. New Zealand methods of absorbing youths in industry and the Dominion housing scheme were also investigated by Mr Mackrell. Under the placement service scheme employment offices have been established in 22 New Zealand centres, where all unemployed must enrol. No man can receive relief unless he is registered; if work is available he must accept it.

When a position needs filling in one centre officers there, if unable to supply a man, obtain the name and address of a suitable man in the nearest centre. That man is notified immediately. Returns are sent weekly to headquarters in Wellington, where the men are graded into 550 different occupations, and from where complete registers are sent to each centre. The administrative staff has been filled by men who were on the registers. They are paid 10/- to 15/- a week above the usual relief rates.