UNEMPLOYED RELIEF.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18359, 19 June 1931, Page 8

UNEMPLOYED RELIEF.

THE NO. 5 SCHEME

TEMPORARILY CONTINUED. STATEMENT BY PREMIER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Tho Unemployment Board’s No. 5 Scheme Is to b 3 temporarily continued. Thi* fact was announced to-day by tho Prlmo Minister. Mr Forbes said the Government bad given further consideration tc the unemployment problem’ and to the numerous representations which had been made for a continuance of •the scheme. Although the facts of his previous statement and ttic reasons which ted up to his announcement of the suspension of No. 5 scheme in no way had been altered, the Government, under the special circumstances, and 'in view of the wholehearted demand from all parts of the Dominion, had decided upon a temporary continuance of tlie scheme.

One of 'the first duties of Parliament would be to consider the question of funds for the Unemployment Board, said Mr Forbes, and the Government intended to bring down legislation at the earliest opportunity in, the forthcoming session with that end in view.

" In the meantime, however, as a result of earnest representations and with a view lo relieving the unfortunate position in which many of our people have been placed through lack of employment,'’ continued the Prime Minister, ‘The Government lias decided upon the continuance of the scheme until such time as Parliament can deal with' the problem oi additional finance, which, based on the large numbers of unemployed now to be dealt with, is csscntiat. “ The Government realises its responsibility for stability and 'the increase of * the unemployment funds will rest upon Parliament. As the session will commence within a week I have every hope that reasonable provision will be made so that relief can be continued.”

36,000 MEN INVOLVED. BOARD ADJOURNS FOR WEEK. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Unemployment Board will adjourn for a week from to-morrow, following upon the settlement of the question of providing work for the men employed under No. 5 scheme.. The result of the decision of the Government to .finance ttie scheme in the interim is that more than 30,000 men who otherwise would have been left without work will he kept in employment for the present. It is understood that the men working on farm lands under schemes •1A and -IB will remain in employment. According to official figures supplied to-day the board is financing the employment of 8327 . men _on farm lands. In addition it is estimated by the board that there are at least 1300 men engaged in drainage work under No. 5 scheme in various parts of the country. Schemes -iA and 4B arc regarded as of more than ordinary value by the board, in that the men are engaged in what will prove reproductive employment.

DISTRESS AT MiLLERTON. CHILDREN KEPT FROM SCHOOL. NELSON, Thursday. In furtherance of a threat made.by parents at AliMcrlon that llioir children would not attend school unless a free meal was provided, the headmaster notified the Nelson Education Board to-day that only 05 pupils out, of 200 attended school this morning. PRODUCE FROM WAIKATO. FREE TRANSPORT ASKED. WAX GAN UI, Tli ursday. In reply to a question to-day the Hon. W. A. Ycitcli, Minister of Railways, stated that lie had. not yet received a reply to his telegram to the Railways Board regarding the granting of free transport on produce from the Waikato for relief of distress in Auckland. TO PREVENT EVICTION. DEAIONSTR ATI ON BY UXEAIPLOYED THE POLICE PRESENT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Friday. Several score of unemployed this morning occupied a house from which a tenant was lo be evicted for nonpayment of rent. The police arrived, but there was no disorder. Later a member of Parliament undertook responsibility for the payniea’ of the rent in arrears. WORK IN HAMILTON. Official iiotillealion to continue with the No. 5 scheme until Parliament meets was received by the Hamilton Labour Bureau this morning. Work will lie resumed in the borough and district on Monday morning under Ihe same conditions as obtained a week ago. No authority lias been given to continue with No. -i.\ scheme.