NO MORE UNEMPLOYMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 234, 2 October 1929, Page 9

NO MORE UNEMPLOYMENT

GOVERNMENT SCHEME PREMIER MAKES STATEMENT [ Per Press Association ] WELLINGTON, Oct. 1. The Prime Minister, in an elaborating statement in the House today regarding the comprehensive scheme which he indicated in the House on Friday last was in hand for the absorption of unemployed throughout the Dominion, stated that with the return to Wellington of the Ministers who constituted the Cabinet and the committee that was handling the details of organisation, he had been able to assure himself that they had finalised their machinery proposals for the carrying *out of the scheme. He was able to announce, therefore, that the Government was going ahead immediately with the execution of the plans it had been preparing to take up the 'whole of the unemployed, and applications would be received immediately from men requiring work. As a first instalment 1000 men would be engaged immediately by the State Forest Service. In. addition at least 500 more would be taken on various jobs to be started by the Public Works Department and on land improvement, irrigation and swamp drainage. Other avenues of employment would also be opened as required.

“I desire to make it clear,” said the Prime, Minister, “that the Government intends to put an end to the discrepancy which is so often stated to exist between the number of unemployed as disclosed by the Labour Department’s register and those stated to be known to the trades unions and others to be out of work. To this end it has been decided that all men genuinely wanting work must register themselves with the Labour Bureau (Government) and work will be found for them with the commencement of the various works which are to be started within the next few weeks. No man willing and able to work will have any excuse for stating that he is unable to get it.” Registration Requirements “In this connection the Government expects that the trades unions and other unofficial labour organisations will extend their fullest co-operation in ensuring that men are properly registered. An important departure which is a feature of the present proposals, is that whereas in the past no attempt has been made to provide specially for tradesmen, work for which they are most suited and most able to give a full return for the money expended (that is in their own occupations) is now being arranged. In other words, the unskilled, and, as far as possible, the skilled worker, will be provided for and I am confident that it will bring good results, preventing the skilled worker from getting out of touch with his and from becoming discouraged. ” The Prime Minister, in indicating that he had nothing “further to add at present, said: “To ensure the greatest degree of co-ordination and expedition, operations are being supervised direct by a committee of Cabinet Ministers consisting of the Hon G. W. Forbes (chairman), the Hon. W. A. Veitch, the lion. E. A. Ransom and the Hon. W. B. Taverner, with Mr W .J. Shanly as secretary, to work under the Ministers and keep them in touch with the actual progress of work. There will be a selected committee of Departmental officers. ’ ’