HELPING THE WORKLESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 226, 13 December 1927, Page 16

HELPING THE WORKLESS

INSURANCE SCHEME APPROVED BY CHURCHES “Unemployment means want in the home, and want means deterioration of moral character,” said Mr. F. N. Andrews, chairman of the Council of Christian Congregations, last evening. The council decided to approve of the introduction of a system of unemployed insurance, based on contributions from employees, employers and the Government. Mr. C. H. Furness explained that a conference convened by the council had been attended unofficially by members of the Chamber of Commerce, Employers’ Association, Rotary Club and Trades Hall representatives. The broad principle of national insurant against unemployment was approved. A sub-committee was appointed with instructions to call a meeting of citizens as soon as possible. The committee had been doing good work and would call a general meeting as soon as information regarding recent amendments to the English Act had come to hand. In Elngland it was estimated, he said, that a weekly contribution of Is for each worker (4d each from worker, employer and State) would easily provide a payment of £2 a week for every unemployed adult male worker with two dependants, and lesser benefits to other workers without dependants. Adverse critics had said New Zealand was too small for unemployed insurance, but the argument against this was that there was serious unemployment in the country, and it was likely to recur.