PARLIAMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 244, 15 October 1932, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

IMPREST SUPPLY BILL UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM. [ Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Oct. 14. The .douse of Representatives met al 10.30, Mr. McCombs gave notice of bis inteo lion to introduce the Industrial Con ciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill. No. 2 Imprest Supply Bill was intro diced by Governor-General's message and accorded urgency. Unemployment Problem. *’pportunily was taken to discuss various aspects of the unemployment problem. Mr. Sullivan alleged that the Government was betraying its trust so far as B2 men were concerned. He said That both the hospital boards and the Unemployment Board had repudiated responsibility for providing for these men, and it was a scandal that the Government had been unable to bring lhe issue to finality. He asked what right had the Unemployment Board to throw on the hospital boards the responsibility for B2 men when it must know that the hospital boards had the right to repudiate such responsibility. These men were able to perform light work, and Mr. Sullivan insisted that the Unemployment Board should do something to save them from starvation. Mr. Harris protested against the action of the Government in driving married men into the country for relief work. He referred to the case of the Takapuna Borough Council which was prepared to continue to employ 173 married men on reproductive work, and asked why was the board insisting on breaking up these men’s homes and driving them into the country. Ho was satisfied that with a little business acumen many works could be carried out in various towns, and he was referring to reproductive works of national importance which would keep the men somewhere near their homes. He believed the reverse policy was wrong and he would not stand for it. Reply to Labour. Replying to Labour speakers. Mr. ». G. Smith said that no section of the community, except a very small irresponsible section, wuld urge that relief work should be abolished, and the men be placed on the dole. Continuing, Mr. Smith said that from a. canvass that had been made in the cities it had been established that only 10 per cent, of the number of registered unemployed boys and youths <-ould be absorbed in trade and commerce in the city. The only other avenue was the land, and in all parts of New Zealand hundreds of boys had gone out in the country. He him-

self had seen comment expressing the satisfaction of both farmers and boys with this scheme. There were admittedly complaints regarding the conditions. but from his experience from one end of New Zealand to the other he ffuld say that 98 per cent, f the farmers were playing the game by the boys. The discussion was interrupted by the adjournment of the House at 1 p.m. i Juvenile Unemployed When the House of Representatives 'esumed at 2.30 p.m., the debate on the imprest Bill was continued. Mr. Walter Nash (Labour, Hutt), replying to Mr. G. G. Smith, said that 74 per cent, of the girls and 26 per cent, of the boys leaving primary schools did not know what they were going to do. He claimed that the picture painted by Mr. Smith was not a correct one. The discussion on the unemployment situation generally was continued until after 4.30 p.m.. when Mr. W. E. Parry (Labour, Auckland Central; moved an amendment recommending the Government to convene a conference of representatives of rented houses and tenements, relief workers and the Government for the purpose of making mutually satisfactory arrangements whereby unemployed workers would have a reasonable guarantee of shelter for themselves and their families and the owners would be guaranteed a definite return to the form of rent. Mr. Parry said that until the Government took some steps to assist the people he had mentioned he would take every opportunity of dividing the House on tho subject. He personally was not prepared to assist the Government any further until it took the matter in hand. A vote of £15,000 would be sufficient to overcome the rent problem. The amendment was seconded by Mr. F. Jones (Labour, Dunedin South) and on a division was rejected by 43 votes to 21. Mr. Fraser asked whether the Prime Minister would indicate to the House what progress had been made in London with reference to the suggested New Zealand conversion loans and also whether he could give any explanation regarding the alleged defalcations in the High Commissioner’s office. Mr. Forbes said that the Hon. Uownie Stewart and Mr Park, Secretary to the Treasury, were at present discussing with financial circles in London, New Zealand’s position generally with respect to the Government’s requirements. He was in possession of no information other than that which already had appeared in the Press. In regard to the other matter mentioned by Mr. Fraser, it would have been observed that Police Court pro eeedings were being taken in respect of the alleged defalcations in the High Commission!’s Office. Replying to Mr. Fraser, Hon. J. G Coates said that all Government con tracts were handled by the Storees Board and were submitted to Cabinet for confirmation. The same course had been adopted with regard to benzine and oil contracts as with all others. Replying to Mt. D. G. Sullivan (Lab our, Avon), Hon. J. G. Cobbe said he had discussed with the Commissioner of Pensions whether it would be pos sible to pay pensions on the 21st of this month instead the 25th. but owing to the number involved this was not practicable. He pointed out that the payments were not actually due until lhe end of the month, though it was the practice to pay them a week earlier. The Imprest Supply Bill, providing for allocations totalling £4.482.006. wa« then put through all stages and passed and the House rose at 6.40 p.nx