N.Z. UNEMPLOYED

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1927, Page 1

N.Z. UNEMPLOYED

THE PREMIERS PLANS. [by TELEGRAPH— PER PUCKS ASSOCIATION.") WELLINGTON, March 9. The Prime Minister to-day made a statement on unemployment. Mr Coates touched on the difficulties of the Public Works Department in providing a continuous programme of work for casual labour. He said that notwithstanding the difficulties, the Government had already provided employment for 2000 workers in excess of the regular public works employees. He continued: “ Tt is realised, however, that while the Government cannot reasonably be expected to shoulder the whole responsibility of finding employment for those who are out of work the interest of the country, as well as the dictates of humanity, render it necessary that, nt the present moment, the utmost should Ire done that can be done.” Mr Coates said that the Government accordingly had been exploring every possible avenue, both public and private. Tt bad been enquiring into the position of the coal mining industry with a view, if possible, to increasing the amount of coal used locally. The Government, be said, also had been arranging for an investigation into the causes of the depression of the timber industry.

Steps have been taken, said Mr Coates, to restrict the unskilled immigrants during the winter months. The Prime Minister continued: 11 Commencing from the beginning of next month (the planting season), the Forestry Department can, if necessary, employ some 500 workers.”

“Immediately, or in the near future, work in the Public Works Department will be made available for some 2000 men, in addition to those already employed. This work is in advance of the programme, and it necessitates provision for extra finance.” Mr Coates said: “It is felt, under the circumstances, that, with the object of limiting unemployment avail, able to cases of actual necessity it would not be right to offer wages for these workers equal to those paid to regular Public Works Department employes, and, further, as a considerable proportion of the unemployed are seasonal workers, who should at the appropriate time, return to their normal employment, it is essential that the wage offered should not be high enough to induce them to remain indefinitely with the Public Works Department.” Mr Coates said that arrangements bad already been made for work to he available in the following Public Works Department Districts : Whangarei—l4o men. Auckland —750 men. Tauranga—l6s men. Napier—so men. Wellington—l7s men. Stratford—6o men. Tnumarunui —250 men. Nelson—l3o men. Dunedin —230 men. There were, he said, also other local ities to be mentioned later. The remuneration on co-operative contracts where possible, would be such as to return the equivalent of 12s a day for a married man, and 9s a day for a single man. When the co-opera-tive contracts are not possible an hourly basis at the above rates would pertain. There would be nothing to prevent those on the co-operative system from receiving more if they earned more.

It was not proposed to alter the remuneration at present being paid to the relief workers already employed by the Public Works Department, but, on the completion of the work they are on they will, he added, be re-engaged on the reduced rate of remuneration.