COMMITTEE DISCUSSES UNEMPLOYMENT SCHEMES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 164, 13 July 1931, Page 7

COMMITTEE DISCUSSES UNEMPLOYMENT SCHEMES.

The Citizens’ Unemployment Commit- • me *- to - da y. Mr E. H. Andrews presiding- over a good attendance, which *P. c *y ded Messrs F. H. Hutchinson and \\. E. Headley, members of the Unemployment. Board. In reply to a question, Mr Headley stated that the Unemployment Board would continue to function until the new board was appointed about the end of this month. The Unemployment Board wrote stating that there was a limited amount of funds available for worlc under the No. 4a scheme, and asked for the forwarding of applications. The following motion by Mr .T. S. Barnett was carried:—“ That this meeting protest to the Minister of Habour against the hardship inflicted on unemployed men who have reached the age of sixty-five and are not qualified for the old-age pension by reason of residence in New Zealand for twenty-five years, but who are being debarred from participation in the benefits of relief work under the Unemployment Act on account of the new regulation compelling them to apply for exemption from payment of the levy; and that the Minister lie strongly urged to remove this restriction in cases where the men concerned are physically fit for -work.” After a period in committee, it was reported that the committee intended to urge on the Unemployment Board the desirability of relaxing the restrictions on country -work, in view of the shortage of avenues of employment in the towns; and to urge that the survey in connection with the drainage of Hake Ellesmere should be expedited.