UNEMPLOYMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1931, Page 2

UNEMPLOYMENT

THE BOARD’S WORRIES.

/By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WELLING TON. Jamiarv 23

The unprecedented total ot i**,ft7s unemployed were registered at wie Labour Bureaux throughout the Dominion for the week enued January 12. This was an increase of 3,527 on toe previous week.

The Chairman of the Unemployment Board: has issued a statement that portion of its time has been taken up in receiving deputations from all over New Zealand and in dealing v. ;rh np(,ea.s winch the Board imu not been authorised to grant. The Hoard is loath tq refuse any request or to decline to meet deputations, but the organisation of schemes on a permanent basis for the (benefit of the unemployed is a matter of so much urgency that ft is hoped that only the most vitally important matters will for the next few - weeks be submitted to the Board. Incorrect ideas regarding the powers of the Board have led to exaggerated expectations by many individuals. There is a definite limit to the Board’s powers and resources, and the members have to deal with each case strictly on its merits, and with regard to the Board’s legal powers. Like all other organisations, the Board is compelled to live within its means, tt is for this reason that a great number of the applications recently made to the Board have had to be declined.

LOCAL BODIES DEMAND

TOO GREAT FOR THE BOARD

WELLINGTON, January 23

The Uneinloyment Board, in an appeal to local bodies, states that not jnly should there be no slackening of tixe local bodies' efforts, but they should be increased to the greatest extent of their resources. Co-ordination with the Board’s efforts and a determination on the part of each local body to do its share in promoting schemes to provide work, are the main essentials to the relief of distress. The Board states that some local bodies’ applications for subsidies for public works have been refused, arid they are feeling somewhat unsympathetic with the Board in consequence but in nil cases, there has /been sound reason for refusal. Either the application was made after the total grant bad been allocated, the work was a profit-making venture or the application was on account of ordinary maintenance work, which would have to lxs done in any ease by the local body’s own staff. Many millions of pounds would be required to meet nil demands made on the Board’s limited funds. AUCKLAND, T anunry 22. The Auckland Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution: “That in view of the present economic conditions, and the urgent need of a reduction in production costs in all industries, we respectfully urge the Prime Minister to reduce all official salaries from the highest through all grades of the Legislature, Government and Civil Service, and that ..a.ird wages l>e reviewed ”