A NEW UNEMPLOYMENT POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1931, Page 8

A NEW UNEMPLOYMENT POLICY.

The latest decision arrived at by the Unemployment Board in regard to relief work under what has become known as Scheme 5 will be generally approved. As a matter of fact it is only a re-state-ment of the goal towards which the late Minister of Labour, the Hon. S. G. Smith, claimed his policy was shaping. The board realises that any relief schemes which do not afford work that will be reproductive are simply using up funds provided by the taxpayer, whose ability to continue finding them must, sooner or later, come to an end. The board proposes therefore to divert such relief towards work that will be reproductive. Mining and land improvement as a precursor of close settlement are the two methods by which the board hopes to obtain better results for the high expenditure upon unemployment relief that is now being made. Though the change in policy has been decided upon, the board makes it clear that it will take some time to bring about. It is to be hoped the delay will be made as brief as possible, for there can be no question but that some of the work undertaken under Scheme 5 could have been postponed without creating any hardship upon the l<«cal authorities concerned. A hopeful sign te that the board proposes to give local unemployment committees a freer hand than at present, for it is qui j certain that they must continue the most valuable assistants the board possesses. To attempt to direct a Dominion-wide scheme from the board’s office in Wellington would be absurd, and it is good to see that this is recognised, as well as the fact that if local committees are to be asked to undertake administrative duties they have the right to expect the necessary authority as well. In this province the work of the local committees has won Ministerial commendation as well as the appreciation of those they have tried to assist, and the Unemployment Board can doubtless rely upon their further good offices. The com-

mitteea are as keenly concerned as the board to see a return for the work provided, and the .sooner th® new policy te acted upon the better.