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Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1930, Page 4

The time for the registration of eligible males under tho Unemployment Act has arrived, hut it would appear from tho latest figures published, many have been dilatory in the discharge of tho legal duty imposed on them by the late session of Parliament, It is stated, also, that many are disposed' to give some degree of trouble about registration as a protest against tho legislation. There is provision under the Act which makes employe its liable if they employ males who are not registered, to prove which it is incumbent on employees to produce their certificate of registration upon demand. There is not any charge for registration, and in most instances employers have registration forms available for the use of their staffs. The unattached male must however procure the necessary form and complete it at the Post Office where he receives his certificate. The objection to registration is not clear, seeing that the legislation imposing the obligation is a legitimate effort to relieve a vei-y serious position over tho whole of New /calami. The Government attempted in a rough and ready way to meet unemployment with relief work, hut through them was great assistance from |he large centres, and private employers lielnod considerably, it was not possible to meet all the demands, despite the very large expenditure undertaken in all good laith. >Some permanent remedy was called for, and following tho sitting of a special commiss’on the Government propaicd Hu legit lation which is now law. It is a further concrete attempt to stem the tide of serious difficulty. When nothing was done previously, beyond providing relief work, there were complaints on all sub's about a lack of statesmanship to deal with the gie.it issue. Now when legislation is brought down, there are objections oil the part of many to co-onerate lrc-e-Iv with I he proi'or working of the AH. Certain Labour organisations are definite in their refusal to cooperate, and it is not impossible there will bo a. further period of Labour unrest as a consequence o| the efioit to enforce the law. If Labour is so ill-advised in that direction it must take the consequences of its act. but

to those who believe in assisting the Government to achieve some measure of progress against the burden of employment which is a universal problem, there will he a muliness to cooperate, and wirffi the authorities well in a. definite effort to overcome the great social problem of our time.