PARLIAMENT’S MAIN TASK

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1931, Page 9

PARLIAMENT’S MAIN TASK

UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM NEW ZEALAND GOODS CAMPAIGN. £BOO GRANT TO MANUFACTURERS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. When Parliament meets next week it will be asked to take into immediate consideration the whole question of unemployment. It appears to be likely that the first two days of the session, which are usually light ones from the working poi of view? will be devoted to serious business.

The Prime Minister said this afternoon that the Government was at present engaged in drafting legislation dealing with the unemployment situation for the earliest possible presentation to Parliament. The nature of the proposals was not yet finally decided upon. ■ ’ _ . . Mr. Forbes stated it was not his intention to go ahead with any far-reach-ing measures during the coming session apart from those which were necessary to meet the present difficulties of the country. . s he had already announced, no attempt would be made to deal with banking legislation, as it was considered that the present tune was not suitable for trying experiments. The forthcoming campaign on behalf of New Zealand-made goods was outlined by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. S. G. Smith, in a statement on behalf of the Unemployment Board today. He made it clear that-.the grant of £BOO by the board towards the campaign was in no way a donation to the Manufacturers? ,A£6ocia,tipn. “The manufacturing; industries of the Dominion,” ..-aid the Minister, “are experiencing the full effects of the depression in t- le, and 'the consequent lack of sales has resulted in the Services of many of the employees being dispensed with. The progressive increase in’ the number of unemployed is largely due to the tremendous decline in the business transacted, by these industries, and in an endeavour to re-awaken public interest in locally-made products, and with the primary object of enabling employees to get back to their special jobs, the Unemployment Board recommended to the Government the' advisability of instituting a publicity campaign to stimulate a demand for all New Zealand-made goods. “This interest in industrial progress is an integral part of the Unemployment Board’s functions, and the Government cordially endorsed the recommendation. The question of financing the campaign, "Which it is estimated will cost £l2OO, was decided by the board agreeing to make available the sum or £BOO on condition that the Manufacturers’ Association members, who would benefit indirectly, contributed one-third (£400) of the total. This is not in any sense a grant to the Manufacturers Association any more than the Unemployment Board’s subsidy under the No. 2 Scheme was a grant to householders or the subsidy under schemes 4A and 4B was a grant 4 > farmers. The board’s chief concern in these cases was to provide openings for unemployed men, and not to benefit farmers.”