UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1932, Page 9

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

UPPER HOUSE PASSES BILL PEACEFUL PICKETING QUESTION. LEGISLATION TO. BE SUGGESTED. BAN ON CITY PROCESSIONS URGED By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, April 15. The Legislative Council went into committee this morning on the Unemployment Amendment Bill, which was passed at noon; Dir Francis Bell suggested that a clause should be included making peaceful picketing on relief jobs illegal. He said that endeavours were being made to keep young men from going into the country. Sir James Parr (Leader of the Council) said he doubted if the Bill was the proper place to insert such a provision. In view of recent happenings he thought it would be necessary for the Government to pass emergency legislation. He would confer with the Government on the point. Several members urged that a clause should be inserted to provide that those with savings in the bank should not be debarred from securing employment.. Sir James said there was nothing in the Act to prevent this. It was a matter of administration.

The Bill was reported from committee without amendments.

On the third reading the Hon. L. M. Isitt expressed regret at the scene which had taken place in Auckland and eaid it was deplorable that the leaders of the country should be subjected to such irritation. He believed that the newspapers should close their columns to propaganda against the Government. Replying on the third reading Sir James made reference to the Auckland demonstration and said that if he were in authority in Auckland or Wellington he would prohibit processions through the main streets. If the unemployed desired to march they should do so in the back streets, where no one could see them.

The third reading was agreed to and the Bill passed.