CONSTRUCTIVE SCHEMES

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1934, Page 7

CONSTRUCTIVE SCHEMES

SUGGESTIONS TO MINISTER

TREATMENT OF UNEMPLOYMENT.

DEPUTATION MET AT FEILDING.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Feilding, June 2.

Sympathetic interest was shown by the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Justice, in constructive proposals placed before him by a deputation representing the Chamber of Commerce and a relief workers’ association. 6

The proposals were that the Unemployment Board make grants in approved cases to enable relief workers to start in business; that the means test be applied to those asking for subsidised labour under various schemes; that the Government inaugurate a publicity campaign appealing to all employers to re-employ as much as possible without subsidy and at ordinary pay; that land settlement be encouraged by settling groups on undeveloped land and by the compulsory acquisition of land for small farms; that the Government inquire into the possibilities of the Angora rabbit industry. Mr. Cobbe said he was glad -to hear constructive suggestions. He referred briefly to each proposal. In regard to the business proposal he said the returned soldiers had proved a success in this in many cases. He explained that the subsidy on buildings had resulted in keeping many men in employment. The board was wise at the time in its decision. The Minister was not hopeful regarding land settlement proposals and pointed out that men were not anxious to go far out to undeveloped land and that good land was too high in price to acquire for the purpose. The Minister was favourably impressed with the suggestion about the Angora rabbit industry, which had great possibilities. He would place the matters before the Minister, he said. He favoured a publicity campaign through radio stations and other media and had previously suggested' this.