UNEMPLOYMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1930, Page 2

UNEMPLOYMENT

HON. J. B. DONALD’S REMARKS. AUCKLAND, January 21. Referring to unemployment, some of the speakers at New ■ Lynn at the opening of the new Post Office gave the impression that they blamed transport wholly for the problem in their district. »

In the course of his remarks, the Hon. J. B. Donald, Minister for Industries and Commerce, touched on the subject, and said that while it was probable that transport had something to do with the problem in New Lynn, it was not wholly responsible. Unemployment was a very serious question, of course, and must be faced. It was, however, a matter for every man and woman in the Dominion, for without their help the difficulties of the situation could not be overcome. Everyone had a duty to the unemployed, and everyone should do his best to try and end this state of affairs. When the people of the Dominion had done their best, then it was the duty of the Government to endeavour to end the unemployment situation. 'Some people looked to the Government to do everything in the matter, but whatever the Government could do would by the very nature of things be merely temporary, because it had not unlimited means at its disposal. The Minister reminded his hearers that New Zealand had had periods of unemployment before. It was not altogether a new thing, and the Dominion had always won out. The prices of New Zealand’s products had fallen, and the Dominion was compelled to readjust its outlook accordingly, but the present, state of things would not be permanent.