BOARD GIVEN FREE HAND

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1930, Page 9

BOARD GIVEN FREE HAND

NO CONTROL BY CABINET UNEMPLOYMENT ACT FUNCTIONS. MINISTER OPENS FIRST MEETING. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. An eptimistic view of the outcome of the Unemployment Board was taken by members at the first meeting to-day. The Minister of Labour, the Hon. S. G. Smith, who presided, stressed the need for team work, and in this had the support of his colleagues. The Minister eaid he desired to congratulate the members of the board other than Government nominees on having secured nomination from the people they, represented in everyday life. In regard to the Government nominees, the number of persons recommended to the Gov-, eminent had been nearly as great as the number nominated for the other positions, and in the appointment the Government had been confronted with a very big problem by reason 'of the great number of experienced men from whom it had had to choose. It was very gratifying to know that the board met with almost universal acceptance, and. with one or two exceptions there was no comment as to the personnel.

Mr. Smith said he wanted to make it clear- that the board was entirely free from Government control. It had been suggested that the board had been appointed for the sole purpose of carrying out whatever the Government wished, but he was sure he knew sufficient of the members to know that had such been the case they would not have accepted office. The board would get no interference from the Government. It would get nothing but the greatest possible assistance. It was his hope, said, the Minister, that the setting up of the board would eventually do away with the necessity for the Unemployment Act and primary and secondary industries would be stimulated to such an extent that they would be able to look forward to many years free from unemployment. He hoped the functions of the board would not be concentrated. in Wellington, but there would be a policy of decentralisation. It should be the board’s aim to secure the co-operation of people in the various centres, people who understood the type of man who was applying for work. If they could secure that cooperation it would assist the board very materially in grappling with the problem.

Members thanked the Minister for his remarks and congratulated the Government’on its legislation dealing with unemployment. f \ The.' board proceeded to do its business in committee.

The appointment of Mr. MalcolmFraser, Government Statistician, as Commissioner of Unemployment was announced at the conclusion of the meeting. Mr. Fraser meantime will be relieved of his other official duties and will devote the whole of his time to duties as chief executive officer of the board.