BURDEN OF UNEMPLOYMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1930, Page 11

BURDEN OF UNEMPLOYMENT

MR. POLSON DISCUSSES BILL. (By Wire—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The Independent member for Stratford, Mr. W. J. Polson, expressed his views on the Unemployment Bill in ths House to-night. He regarded the measure as likely to have a sharp repercussion throughout the country. He was not contented with the whple Bill, but it was scarcely to be expected that there would be unanimity of opinion on such a big question in a House of eighty members. It was not only the worker who would bear the burden of the unemployment fund because 50 per cent, of the amounp expended would come from the Consolidated Fund, which was made up by th?' taxpayer. He was as keen as anyone to solve the problem 'and help Labour generally. The question was what form, should the relief take? He considered the Bill was a good start and it could be amended from time to time as they, gained more experience. The question of sustenance would depend on the abih ity of the board and the freedom front interference. The discriminatory powers imposed upon the board were very necessary.' . - Discussing the payment of obligatory sustenance Mr. Polson saw a danger that such provision would stiffen trades union negotiators and prevent industrial settlements because the negotiators would know that if a settlement was not reached the workers would receive unemployment relief. Mr. Polsoii agreed with remarks in regard to - increasing the restrictions placed on industry by the Arbitration Court awards. In the administration of the Bill anti-social subsidies must be guarded against/and the unemployment board must be entirely divorced from political control. The Minister of Labour, the Hon. S. G. Smith: That will be so. J Mr. Polson expressed anxiety as to how farming would, be affected by.-the Bill. Some, of the details of the measure required to’ be strengthened. For instance, there' should be a propel* definition of unemployment. Were men who had taken part in strikes, whohad been guilty of misconduct or who had voluntarily left their employment to be regarded as being entitled to susten* ance? He wanted to know if the Government had studied the fundamentals of unemployment or whether it was moving to tackle the problem from the bottom upwards.