A HEAVY BURDEN.

Wairarapa Age, 22 December 1932, Page 5

A HEAVY BURDEN.

RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN BRITAIN. WHOLE OUTLAY PROVIDED OUT OF REVENUE. ANTICIPATIONS THAT WERE NOT REALISED. RUGBY, December 20. A national vote of £19,000,000 on behalf of unemployment, passed by the House of Commons last night is mainly required for the payment of transitional benefits under the Insurance Fund and in order to maintain a continued balance of the Insurance Fund. This increase upon the original estimate is in part a sequel to a somewhat optimistic overestimate of employment. It was pointed out by the Minister of Labour, Sir Henry Betterton, that the world deterioration which showed signs of being arrested when the original estimates were framed had progressively continued and the expected improvement had not materialised. He emphasised the point that Britain bore the cost of unemployment without borrowing. He added that Great Britain almost alone among nations was maintaining its position in face of a formidable economic crisis. The Supplementary Estimates a’co included the Government’s contribution of £16,000 toward voluntary movements which have extended remarkably during recent months to help the unemployed in finding useful and health v means of occupying their time. The Prime Minister in a broadcast address last night made an earnest appeal to the public for support of these activities. He recalled that the Government had invited the National Council of Social Service to extend its organisation and co-operate with the work of numerous other bodies engaged in the same field. He emphasised that it was not an appeal for charity, but a national attempt to find new ways of employment and instil into people the spirit of co-operation and independence. (British Official Wireless.)