PROPOSED REMEDIES FOR UNEMPLOYMENT

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19036, 3 April 1930, Page 14

PROPOSED REMEDIES FOR UNEMPLOYMENT

CANTERBURY PROGRESS LEAGUE’S DISCUSSION. The proposals of the Citizens’ Unemployment Committee for the relief of unemployment were discussed at last night’s meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Progress League. The committee asked the league to endorse resolutions to the effect that the secondary industries should be placed on an economic basis, and raise a loan upon the revenue of the annual income of the Highways Board for the purpose of expediting the construction of the main arterial highways. Mr P. R. Climie (organiser for the league) suggested that the proposals should be very carefully examined by experts. Mr S. H. Judd moved that the proposal relating to the construction of "main highways be referred to the Highways Committee for a report. In seconding the motion Mr F. W. Johnston said that there was grave danger in the proposals. It appeared that everyone who had any proposal to make for relieving unemployment wished to have a cut at the Highways Fund. That was unfair, he considered, as it took the burden of unemployment off the shoulders of the Government and placed it upon the motorists. The taxation of the motorists was a class taxation and motorists were entitled to see that the Highways Fund was expended in such a manner as to give efficient results. Mr W. K. M’Alpine suggested that the matter should be referred to the local bodies for consideration. Mr G. Maginness said that a copy of the letter had been sent to all the local bodies. He considered that the root of the unemployment problem was the system of fixation of arbitrary wages by the Arbitration Court instead of payment by results. Mr C. H. Burson said he thought all would agree that the time was opportune for affirming the principle of supporting local industries. There was, he considered, no doubt whatever that the introduction of labour-saving machinery was one of the chief causes of unemployment. Mr M. W. Stevenson expressed the opinion that local industries should be removed from the list of “unwanted and unnecessary industries,” to the list of “wanted and necessary industries.” He was of opinion that they should receive greater encouragement from the Government instead of being continually the subject of pin-pricking. The motion that the proposal regarding the highways should Joe referred to the Highways Committee for consideration, was carried. On the motion of Mr R. H. Webb it was decided to affirm the principle that private individuals and Govern ment Departments should purchase New Zealand made goods in preference to others.