MINISTERIAL ANSWERS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1931, Page 2

MINISTERIAL ANSWERS

WELLINGTON, March 18. Replying to Mr H. E. Holland, leader of the Labour Party, in th e House of Representatives this afternoon, the Primp Minister stated that legislation dealing with the use of trading coupons would be introduced this session and treated as a matter of urgency. Mr Carr (T.iniaru) asked whether in view of the inability of farmers to go on feeding unemployed mendicants the Government would establish camps throughout New Zealand for those destitute and homeless people. Th e Prime Minister replied that the matter of establishing places for the supply of food was receiving consideration.

Mr Forbes replied that the report had not yet been received. Mr Langstone (Waimarino) asked why the Government was increasing the number of words which could be transmitted as press messages at a reduced rate, why the weight limit for weekly papers had been raised, and if there would be a similar easing in regard to wage cuts. He also urged that the public should be given the same concession as newspapers in respect to telegrams. The Hon. J. 13. Donald, Postmaster General, replied that the increased telegraph concessions applied to the session only and Were designed to give scope for adequate reporting of members’ speeches, It had been found that many weeklies were just above the new weight limit, which' would inflict an increase of four hundred par cent. Press telegram concessions would be of little use to the public as (the minimum rate was 16 6d. Mr Carr (Tinuiru) asked whether a thorough investigation would be made into all building in earthquake areas. The Prime Minister said that a report by experts would be obtained a* soon as possible and legislation would lie introduced this session regarding building regulations. Mr Parry asked whether in view of the number of unemployed in Auckland and the difficulties experienced in absorbing men owing to the limitation of unemployment committees’ powers, the Minister of Labour would arrange for the Unemployment Board to provide payment of the committee’s expenses, including the salary of a full time secretary. The Hon.. S. G. Smith said he was astonished to learn that the Auckland committee could not function unless granted such allowances, ; He pointed out that good work in the direction of absorbing the Unemployed was being carried out there. During the present week a total of 4,623 men had been employed under No. 5 scheme, some for two days, some for three and some for four. There apparently was

no difficulty in other centres, for instance'a lew clays ago advice was received from Dunedin that all eligible • had been placed, while in Christfcrjychtirch there' were at present in work j;|p 2,916 men- under No. 5 scheme. Labour members; Not full time. The Hon. S. G. Smith: Surely you . ijpriklon’t expect the board to have full ■ employment for nearly thirty thousand men. ■Jj.% The Minister said that 159 unem:'|r; 'ployment committees had been formed : T throughout New Zealand and were opUv-, crating under the existing rules. If i‘ each were allotted expenses it would involve a cost of more than £32, out of the Unemployment Fund. He suggested that Auckland local hod’'" T should be asked to contribute pro rata m towards the expenses. He added tV 1 |c; Wellington had absorbed two thousand under No. 5 scheme and was artip - ranging to place an additional thong sand.