RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1933, Page 9

RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYMENT

CHANGES IN BOARD SOUGHT QUESTION OF INFLATION RAISED. labour suggests big loan. MR. COATES DEFENDS BOARD. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, July 18. A deputation representing the Alliance of Labour and the Trade and Labour Council waited on the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates to-day urging an alteration in the personnel of the Unemployment Board, which it complained was not making any effort to solve the unemplpyment problem. It was suggested that the board should consist of, say, four members of Parliament, representatives of the employers and employees, also the unemployed. . A proposal for raising a compulsory loan of £15,000,000 for the purpose of re-absorbing unemployed into industry was also placed before the Minister. In reply, Mr. Coates said, he was bound to say that the present Unemployment Board was earnestly striving to do the best it could under the existing circumstances. Mr. Jessep had a wide knowledge of the situation and worked incessantly in order to arrive at plans which would assist in meeting the unemployment difficulties. He could say no less of Mr. Bromley, who was a most capable and honest man with a heart as big as a lion. Mr. Climie represented a rather different community, but at the ' same time he knew his intentions and activities in connection with the board had been everything one could desire. Mr. Coates asked how it was intended to improve the administration of the board. Was it just a question of personnel?.., EXAMPLE OF AMERICA. Members of the deputation referred to what had taken place in America. Mr. Coates: I know we have to watch very carefully Mr. Roosevelt’s policy, and I am not by any means criticising that policy. I am bound to say our administration of the unemployment problem is infinitely superior to anything that has been tackled in America. There is ten times more thought given to the unemployment problem in New Zealand than in Mr. Coates went on -to say it was just a question whether they should- inflate their currency for the purpose of overcoming the internal problem. If he had * time he could probably tell them some of the reactions that followed in the wake of a policy of wild inflation. He was .bound to say that some of the speakers put their case from a political point of view. In fact; a political platform had been traversed by two speakers.

Mr. Roberts: Can you tell us how we can co-operate with the board? Mr. Coates: Have you put forward your proposals to the Unemployment Board? Mr. Roberts said he had already put forward his proposals as a member of the Unemployment Commission which had spent 12 months on the problem. He had already had “a knock,” and he was not going to risk another. Mr. Coates asked if Mr. Roberts had modified his proposals. Mr. Roberts: How can I modify them? They are in your hands now. Mr. Coates: Does Mr. Roberts think he is the only man with a solution? Apparently if his proposals are not adopted he is no longer interested. That is pretty poor stuff. If you. are really interested in the unemployment problem surely your co-operation and association will be there. • Mr. Roberts: My association will be there with the people who don’t give money. I subscribe to private individuals. Your board is treating unemployment as if it was a crime. Mr. Coates: We don’t look upon It as crime. Mr. Roberts: I know you don’t. You have a big job defending your board to-day, and you are doing it well; better than it i deserves. Mr. Coates asked Mr. Roberts if he did not share his high opinion of Mr. Bromley. ■ Mr. Roberts: I am not qualified to express any opinion about Mr. Bromley. Mr. Coates: Oh, yes, you are qualified. I personally feel that the 'board as constituted, is carrying out its work as well as it possibly could under the circumstances. •

Mr. Cook: If it continues with its preBent policy it will cause a revolution? Mr. Coates: Th-e Government has> to take the responsibility ’ for that. ’ He considered the outlook was improving and the country was reaching a better level, Mr. Coates aded.