UNEMPLOYMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 157, 5 July 1934, Page 6

UNEMPLOYMENT

IMPORTANT CHANGES PERSONNEL OF BOARD ASSISTANCE FOR INDUSTRY REDUCTION IN LEVY W ELLIN GTON, J uly 4. An important statemeut regarding the reorganisation of the Unemployment Board consequent on the resignation of the deputy chairman (Mi. J. >S. Jessep), was issued by the Minister of Empiuymeut (the Hou. A. Hamilton) lust evening. As has been fore-, shadowed, Mr. w. Brumley succeeds Mr. Jessep as deputy chairman, and Mr. G. A. Pascoe, of Christchurch, fills the vacancy on tiie board. The Minister also announced that it was proposed to give immediate relief to the unemployed in the matter at levy payments. As from and including the payment due on August 1, the relief workers’ payment was to be reduced from 5s tu Is per quarter. The reduction involved about for a full year. Another important announcement made by the Minister was that the board lyid decided to set aside £250,000 to be used for assisting in the development of new industries during the current year. “The resignation of Mr. Jessep from the Unemployment Board,” said Mr. Hamilton “necessarily calls for a

statement of the present position. The Government has agreed to fill Mr. Jessep’s position as deputy chairman by appointing Mr. Bromley. Mr. Bromley was on Hie original Unemployment Board, and with tho exception of about three mouths m 1931 has served on the board for the whole of its existence, and for some time past has devoted the whole of his time to the work of the board. He is therefore considered to be well qualified to fill this position. The vacancy on the board wili be filled by the appointment of Mr. G. A. Pascoe. Mr. Pascoe is at present chairman of the Development of Industries Board, and has for the last few months been a member of the Tariff Commission. ‘ ‘ Members must realise the enormous

amount of executive work that if necessary to administer a iund of ovei £4,000,0ut) annually. For some time . past Mr. Jessep and Mr. Bromley have ueeu giving tneir full time to this work, and it is now considered neces- ■ sary that these two new appointments shall be on a full-time basis. i Absorption of Unemployed “The policy of the Unemployment Board, auc-pted as from {September, 1931, has resulted in no inconsiderable number of men who formerly relied wholly ou scheme 5 work or sustenance, being provided with full-time employment, and generally at standard wages. This considerably increased . the revenue frem wages tax last year over the receipts for the previous year, and left the board with a credit bat- . unce at March 31, 1934, of approximately £444,000, alter allowing for all commitments up to that date. “In pursuance of its policy to seek c-ut additional avenues of employment, < particularly in industries, the board has decided to set aside £250,000 to be used lor assisting in the development . of new industries during the current year. “It is also proposed to give immediate relief to the unemployed in the matter of levy payments, and, as from and including the payment due on August 1, the relief workers’ payment is to be reduced to Is per quarter. This reduction involves about £35,000 for a full year. Tins will apply to all the registered unemployed ou scheme 5 or sustenance, or workers iu camps where standard wages are not applicable, and to gold prospectors; in shoit, to all those relief workers who are qualified to receive boots under the board’s boot distribution scheme. ; “The board recognises at once that • there are many in almost as difficult & ■ position as regards levy payments and tax payments as some of those workI ers afforded relief under this decision, } but to meet this and other matters • the House will be asked later in the ; session to amend the Unemployment i Act. Assistance to Industries

“If 1 may add a word or two to amplify the intention of the board in setting aside £250,000 for assistance to new industries, 1 would say again that the board’s function is not to initiate new industries, but the board is willing at all times to discuss with those interested iu promoting and establishing new industries to what extent and in what manner the assistance could best be rendered. To show what can be effected in this way 1 would point out that during the last two years the board has assisted liberally in the kauri gum and flax industries. The flax industry is still presenting a difficult problem in the matter of re-establishment. In the kaurigum industry, however, there appears to be some prospect of success. As a insult of the assistance already given to this industry, and with the cooperation of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, it has been definitely proved that by treating the gum a uniform product can be produced, for which there appears to be a good market overseas. Steps are now being taken to make the gum-dig-i ging industry again remunerative. “Arrangements are at present under ‘ way to investigate the possibilities of : a feteei and iron industry in New Zeai land. If this is found to be a practicable and reasonably economic under-

taking it will be of great assistance to the employment position in the Dominion. “The other most promising industry that can be undertaken is gold mining. With the price of gold practically double what it has been for many years, together with a plentiful supply of labour, it is hoped that with the special advantages now offered many gold-mining undertakings, large and small, should be possible.”