UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18542, 12 April 1930, Page 17 (Supplement)

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF.

GOVERNMENT BILL IN PREPARATION. CONTRIBUTORY SCHEME ADOPTED. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 11. Good progress has been made with the preparation of the Government’s plans for an unemployment relief scheme, in accordance with the report of the Special Committee which has investigated the problem on behalf of the Government since last session of Parliament. A statement to the foregoing effect was made to-night by the Minister of Labour (Hon. W. A. Veitch). “The report of the Committee was handed to me several weeks ago by the chairman, Mr W. D. Hunt, and since then details have been under process of analysis,” said Mr Veitch. “A promise was made last session that a Bill would be introduced this year to provide for unemployment relief, and the work now going on is designed to give effect to that promise. The proposals which will form the basis of that legislation are now being investigated, in order that we may be quite sure when submitting the Bill that they are in a thoroughly workable and satisfactory condition. The Bill will be introduced during the forthcoming session.” Asked whether the prospects under consideration were identical with those recommended by the Special Committee, which provide for a National Employment Board, and the institution of a permanent employment and sustenance fund by annual contributions by all persons over 18 years of age, as well as by companies, local bodies, and other organisations, the Minister said the main principles of his Bill would be somewhat similar to those recommended by the Special Committee, although details might diverge. “The public can rely upon it that the principles of the proposed legislation will be on sound and reasonable lines, and that an earnest effort is being made to meet the situation in a practical way,” he said.