UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM

Taranaki Daily News, 6 June 1930, Page 11

UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM

DISCUSSIONS AND THEORIES NEW PLYMOUTH COMMITTEE MEETS. 'PROPOSALS TO BE CONSIDERED. “We must take steps before the position becomes too acute; there are at present 77 unemployed on the register with a total of 231 dependents,” said the Mayor (Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths) at a. meeting of the New Plymouth Unemployed- Committee yesterday. There were also present Messrs. C. H. Burgess, F. J. Hill, S. J. Smith, O. Johnson, C. Carter, G. R. A. Whiting, W. G. Reid, P. E. Stainton, J. Brown, R. Fulton and the borough engineer, Mr. C. Clarke. Mr. Stainton was elected chairman and Messrs. Reid and Johnson joint secretaries. Mr. McPhillips was added to the committee and it was decided to write to all those men on the former committee and ask them to- retain their seats on this committee. The work of the former committee was eulogised by several present. “The great problem,” continued the Mayor, “is one of finding ways and means to alleviate the suffering that is otherwise certain to ensue during the winter months.The funds at present consist of £lOOO allocated by the Borough Council and £B5O subsidy from the Government. It will be necessary to supplement this sum considerably as the winter proceeds. How can we do it?”

Mr. Stainton said the revenue could come from only two sources —the Borough Council or the people direct. Personally he would like to see the day when those in steady employment, would be willing to put aside a small sum to help towards the maintenance of those less fortunate. It might not be economically sound but it would meet the ease. Sometimes a voluntary system was conducted on those lines', but he felt the time was approaching when compulsion would be used on those in a position to contribute.

“DISEASE TO BE FACED? , Mr. Fulton: Unemployment is a disease which has come to stay and it must he faced. I would like to see a measure pass through Parliament compelling' those in a position to do so to provide security for those out of work.” Mr. Burgess: The dole? Mr. Fulton: No. I do not like that word and am not in favour of it, Only those who contributed at some time would be enabled to share in the fund in time of misfortune. '

Mr. Burgess: The dole in England is not really the dole as the people bi New Zealand understand it. The people themselves supply the fund. The Mayor said the whole unemployment problem of the Dominion was under attention. What constituted the immediate and pressing problem for New Plymouth was how to tide over the period between now and the time, probably in a year, when the national aspect of the problem would be solved. The burning question was one of finance as had already been stated. He would like to see a resolution passed asking the, newspapers if they would open a contribution fund.

Mi’. Burgess: We must not overlap. If the voluntary or compulsory donation scheme formerly suggested be brought in after the newspapers have opened funds many people will be asked to contribute who have already done so. • Mr. Stainton then moved that a subcommittee, to be called a finance committee, consisting of Messrs. Burgess, Griffiths, Fulton, Carter and himself be set up to meet and consider ways and means of providing for people out of work.' They would nieet on IVednesday next and endeavour to bring down a suitable-scheme. „ Mr. Whiting urged that no time be lost, for there were many deserving and pitiful cases. ■

Mr. Brown said-he had'been through ths register and it seemed to him that there was another big problem. Many of those on the list were unfit for hard labour. How would they be employed? Mr, Stainton expressed the hope that people in need of a man for gardening or odd jobs would communicate with the Department of Labour early in the day .or ring the secretaries of .the committee. Although it would be only, casual work it would take a few ofi the total for a. time and lend a little.valuable assistance. .

The Mayor in answer to a query sketched the system that had been used before in placing unemployed. men In positions. There were) he said, four' groups. In the first were classed the married men with four or more children,' in the second the married men with two and three children, in. the third the married men with one -child, and in the fourth the single men. If the latter actually had aged parents to provide for allowances were made. ,It had been their policy to place the men in positions in that order. No strangers could come in and claim work; New Plymouth had enough to do to look after its own : men. Therefore a regulation was in -force decreeing that before, an unemployed man ibe given a position, he must show that he has been a resident of New Plymouth : for three months.