THE WEEKLY BILL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 190, 12 August 1931, Page 6

THE WEEKLY BILL.

What is Being Spent on the Unemployed. BOARD DOING ITS BEST. (Special to the 4 * Star.”) WELLINGTON, August 12. The latest unemployed registrations in New Zealand exceed the 48,000 mark, according to a statement made by the Hon S. G. Smith, Minister of Labour, in the House yesterday, when replying to an urgent question by Mr J. S. Fletcher (Independent, Grey Lynn). “ Can the Minister of Labour advise the House when work can be found for all the registered unemployed?” asked Mr Fletcher, who pointed out that there were numbers of men who were not being absorbed under existing schemes. The Minister replied that the Unemployment Board was endeavouring to do its best with the limited funds at its disposal. The latest figures indicated that the total registrations of the unemployed for the Dominion were 48,396, and the board was spending at the rate of £50,000 a week, in anticipation of the revenue it was estimated the recently passed legislation would yield. Other proposals to meet the situation were at present under the consideration of both the board and the Government, but it must be apparent that finance was the governing factor. In reply to Mr R. A. Wright (Reform, Wellington Suburbs), the Minister said he appreciated the assistance given by the National Council of Women in connection with the problem of unemployed women. He added that the personnel of the committee which was to be set up to consider that problem was now under consideration. At least two women would be included.