THE UNEMPLOYED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19868, 16 June 1927, Page 8

THE UNEMPLOYED

GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS NO SUBSIDY ON HIGH PAY. The Government proposals in regard to unemployment relief, in brief, are as under, according to advice received by the Mayor (Mr W. J. Rogers): —The Government has decided to subsidise moneys borrowed for the sole purpose of the relief of unemployment, provided the works have not been included m any schedule of works for which a loan has been raised by the local authority. Parliament will be asked to extend the operation of the Act passed last year to enable local bodies to raise Joans for the relief of unemployment. Works which local bodies propose to put in hand for the relief of uneinploy ment must be approved by the Public Works Department, and it will, therefore, facilitate matters in the passing of the loan by the Local Government Loans Board if the Public Works Department is asked to approve of the work before the loan is raised. No work will be subsidised in a city, borough, or town district unless 60 per rent, of the estimated cost is to be paid for labour on the actual work done. The Government will subsidise sueh approved works up to 50 per cent, of the cost of the labour. It is thought by the Government that it is a sound principle for local bodies to assist in finding work for the unemployed within their own immediate vicinity, and the subsidy proposed should render this practicable. Where local bodies see fit to pay more than the relief rates of 12s for married men, and 9s for single men, the Government subsidy on the cost of labour above referred to will be calculated upon a 12s and 9s rate of pay, and not upon any higher pay.