NO STRAIGHT-OUT GRANT TO AID UNEMPLOYED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18786, 15 June 1929, Page 2

NO STRAIGHT-OUT GRANT TO AID UNEMPLOYED.

Messrs Howard, Armstrong, Sullivan and M’Combs, M.P/s, wired the Prime Minister regarding the continued increase in the number of unemployed and suggested a straight-out grant. The following reply was received from the Prime Minister:—

I have received your telegram, and am having inquiries made regarding your representations concerning unemployment in Christchurch. I regret that I am unable to make a straight-out grant as suggested, as there is not enough .appropriating authority for such grant. Assistance to local bodies for unemployment' relief is strictly confined to the Local Authorities Empowering (Relief of Unemployment) Act.

Mr J. M’Combs, M.P., has received the following letter from the Hon E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works:—

Local Bodies Subsidies. —In connection with the interview which you had with me on June 10, 1 have to state that the subsidy of £25,000 was offered to the City Council on the usual conditions, which are well known to the staff of the City Council, and are fully outlined in the attached six copies of a statement which was issued by the Public Works Department. If any suburban local body near Christchurch is of opinion that it has sufficient unemployed in its district to warrant starting relief works, and is desirous of obtaining subsidy’ from the Government, it should follow the' procedure outlined in the Public Works Department’s statement of January’ 10, and my object in enclosing six’ copies is that you may have a sufficient number to supply a copy to any local body which may approach you for information concerning subsidies. — (Signed) E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works.