WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1930, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM. 5 COMMITTEE’S FINAL REPORT. ' I (Special Correspondent.) i :f ■ U WELLINGTON, Feb. 26. The final section of the report of the Special Committee, .set up by the Government so long ago as October 17th. 1928, to investigate the unemployment problem and to report to the Government, was released yesterday and is b ing received with very' general api probation. The personnel of the Committee when first appointed consisted of Mr W. D. Hunt (chairman), and Mr T. 0. Bishop (representing employers) ; Mr James Roberts and Mr Oscar Mcßrine (representing workers); Mil, Malcolm. Fraser (Government Statistician), Air F. W. Rowley (Secretary of Labour) and Mr H. D. Thomson (Under-secretary for Inimi- | gration). The first section of the report was submitted to the Minister of Labour on August 29th., 1929, and duly laid on the table of the House of Representatives. Shortly after the presentation of this report Mr Rowley retired fronn the Committee and the vacancy occasioned by: bis withdrawal was not filled. ■ The report is a very voluminous document, providing a vast amount of -information- which every .WelJ.-wisher of Abe Dominion should assimilate and every member of Parliament learn by heart. The chairman of . the Comm/ittee has a rare .gift for presenting facts.

PRESS'APPROVAL. - The Wellington dally newspapers extend frank approval to the Committee’s report and so prepare the way lor public endorsement. “Whatever I criticism, may be made, either of principles or details, of the second report of the Unemployment Committee,’’ it says, “it must be conceded that the committee bins done its work coni''scientiously and thoroughly. The recommendations are based upon a careful study of facts and: With' the- a bpl i- . cation to. thg, facts of. w-ell-dpnsidered [' econOfnic' principles. Tiie' eoriimittee has evidently not made up its mind first and then cast around for argil'jnents.’tp support its-conclusions. Tt j;hps| examined the relevant facts and devised a remedy to 'fit them. We feel that the majority .of the people will hrro’.vinced by this method, and wiP pndorse the proposals made in the report, tlir.’T.gli there may he differences of opinion on some important details” The evening paper in summing up the whole matter reminds Parliament that it is now provided with a solid basis upon which to work .and an opportunity to carry a sound system of unemployment relief to realisation.

CONCURRENCE

The “Dominion,” without throwin bricivs at anyone,' concurs with the views cxpfcsaeu -Py (' its, eontenipoi aJ’yi ‘A construct;ve attempt at a solution of New Zealanci’siunoiuployinent proolciii i- so rare,” it states, “that tlie sciiciae presented by tiie Special C'pmmittee presided overlay Mr W. Hunt is gntitlea to careful »s here not only a discussion of the causes of unempioynijent and-some suggested remedies, but also proposals as to ways and means. This is much more comprehensive and more practical than anything so far propounded by the Government or any other person or organisation that every fairminded

Mid thoughtful citizen must give the proposals an audience, and, if he be onsMentious, careful study as well.” i lie allusion to “the Government” may oe taken as applicable to any or all Governments that have existed during the last decade, and in this sense it may lie accepted as fair criticism. The morning paper’s assertion that “taken altogether, tne report may Tie-com-mended as an honest and constructive piece of work” may be regarded as a -tribute t-o its authors without any reservation . THE GOAL, financial'proposals of the Committee already. have been published and will'‘have been one of the first features of its report to attract the attention of really interested people. The Committee suggests, broadly that the relief fund should consist of £700,000 raised by special rates and taxes and an additional amount, estimated at £300,000 from other sources available to the Government. “A complete solution of the problem of unemployment,” the Committee bolds, “would lie the natural development of industries sufficient to provide work for all who are willing to work and capable of working. It may not be possible to quickly bring about this perfect solution, and in the meantime some measures of artificial aid must lie provided.” Hence the need J|r that million a year. It would notjMe too much to pay for the solution. o*he great problem of unemployment, and the unanimity of members of the Corpmittee encourages the hope that a practical effort towards the desired end will be made. All that is required now is the unanimity of the pqljtical parties.