DECISION REVERSED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 143, 19 June 1931, Page 7

DECISION REVERSED

THE UNEMPLOYMENT SCHEME CABINET DECIDES ON TEMPORARY CONTINUANCE INCREASE OF FUNDS RESTS WITH PARLIAMENT [ Per T’ress Association. ] . . WELLINGTON, June 18. J he I rune Minister announced to-day that the Government ia( gnen iurther consideration to the unemployment problem and to the numerous representations which had been made for a continuance of Scheme No. 5. Mr Forbes stated that allough the facts of his previous statement and the reasons which led up to the announcement of the suspension of the No 5 Scheme had m no v ay been altered, the Government had, under the special circumstances, and in view of the whole-hearted demand from all parts of the Dominion, decided upon a temporary continuance of the scheme. Mr Forbes stated that one of the first duties of Parliament would be to consider the question of funds for the Unemployment Board, and the Government intended to bring down legislation at the earliest opportunity in the forthcoming session with tins end in view. In the meantime, however, as a result of the earnest representations, and with a view to relieving the unfortunate position in which many New Zealanders were plaeed through lack of employment, the Government had decided upon a continuance of the scheme until such time as Parliament could dea with the problem of additional finance which was based on the large numbers of unemployed now to be dealt with. It was essential that the Government realised the responsibility for stability. The increase of the unemployment funds would rest upon Parliament, and as the session would commence within a week he had every hope that reasonable provision would be made so that relief could be continued. 30,000 MEN KEPT IN EMPLOYMENT. UNEMPLOYMENT BOAKD TO ADJOURN. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 18. lhe Unemployment Board will adjourn for a week from to-morrow, following upon a settlement of the question of providing work for men employed under the No. 5 Scheme until Parliament votes more money for relief purposes. Commitments already made will absorb the greater part of the £60,000 required to carry the scheme on until Parliament meets. The result of the Government’s decision is that 30,000 men will be kept in employment. There arc 8327 men now engaged on farm land and about 1500 on drainage works in different parts of the country. THE SITUATION IN WANGANUI. RELIEF ORGANISATION TO MEET. STILL GOOD WORK TO BE DONE. The information that Mr Forbes had decided to carry on with the No. 5 Scheme, was conveyed to the Mayor (Mr N. G. Armstrong) last evening. Mr Armstrong thereupon decided to eall a meeting of the General Committee of the newly-formed relief organisation for 2 p.m. at the Council Chambers to-day to consider the position. Mr Armstrong pointed out that there was considerable hardship being experienced in city and district notwithstanding the No. 5 Scheme, and the matter would, of necessity, have to be reviewed from every angle. Considerable satisfaction was expressed by Mr F. Symes when he learned the news of the decision of Cabinet. He said that he thought it was the best possible thing that could have happened in the meantime, and would do away with a lot of trouble. The people were hard enough pressed at the present tune, he said, without having an extra call made on them for £4OOO. He thought that the news would be received with universa! approval. “I am very pleased indeed to hear about it.” said Mr A. E. llalligan. He thought there was no doubt that if the Government eould carry on for a week or two, it would give the Relief Committee, which had been recently set up, time in which they could become organised. As far as the City Council was concerned, they had several works on the move which would have been left half completed. These would now stand a good chance of being finished. Yesterday he had had to pay off several men from Aramoho School where they were engaged in tree planting. Ihe reversal of the decision of the Prime Minister would mean that these men could be re-employed. At that school they had been able to do work with the assistance of the No. 5 Scheme that they would never have been able to do for years to come. It was of great value to them.