The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1931. A VERY PRESENT PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1931. A VERY PRESENT PROBLEM.

Ihk question of unemployment continues to be a matter lor urgent attention, ami presents a very present problem, very difficult of solution. I nder the Mo. 5 scheme as originally brought down, tlm number of n,,employed jumped up remarkably. Tim wages though syled as relief rates, must have been the at traction to a great extent, for when the late reduction was brought into Joreo a number of workmen left the employment offering. The whole scheme lias now icon recast, and it is to be reeonimenc. 'd in a fortnight’s time oil mticu stricter lines. It is now to be conducted on more cast iron Julies, In particular the “unemployed” person must he otic in necessitous cirenmsLiilit'Cs and in need of the payment, lor relief work as a means to sustenance. All those who do not work usually for wages arc eliminated, and in particular those with private means aro not to participate. Those living at home and helping with the domestic business or about farms, will not be considered eligible. A new form of application lias to be completed and lillcd up, and when this is sent in to the certifying officer (who locally js tin 1 Postmaster) that officer is to decide as to the eligibility and the load bodies will be advised of the labour available, and will he expected to provide work accordingly. Work in future is to be limited over three weeks out of four, that is on the days allowed for the individual. Single men and widowers with no dependant children under 10 years of age. will he entitled to six days work' spread over lour weekly periods, the rate being 9s per day. In the case of married men and widowers with not more than two dependants under 10 years, nine days work over the four weeks at 12s 0:1 per day: while in married eases with three or more dependants under 16 years, twelve days work in the four weeks at 12s Od per day. It is essential that all chiimin.g relief work must have paid the unemployment levy. For the future only actual contributors to the fund who are not in arrears with their payments, may obtain relief work under the amended rules of the scheme, it is emphasised in the new conditions that the scheme, of relict' is designed specially for genuine unemployed who have been unemployed fourteen days and have registered as such for that period. Further it is stipulated that men who are in regular employment and may he teinporarilv on short time, and men who regularly obtain casual employment for two or three days a week, will not lie eligible under the scheme. With all these conditions enforced to the letter, it is likely that the number of eligihles registered will decrease materially, hut this will not minimise the general effect of the problem on the (ounlry. That problem continues serious and difficult. As a contemporary put its. the unemployment evil has exceeded the worst fears of Parliament, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that the measures for its relief are totally inadequate. It remains now for the Government to take its stand firmly on the original intention of the Unemployment Act and make full provision for the removal of so grave a menace to the progress and well-being of the nation. That the cost will be high cannot he ignored, hut, having put its hand to the plough, the Government cannot now turn back, and the majority of the electorates in the country cannot fail to give full, if reluctant, acquiescence to any reasonaide scheme that the Prime Minister may bring down to achieve this end. The one unalterable condition precedent- to a solution of the problem is that somebody must foot the bill, and the taxpayer must realise this. The position calls for drastic steps which the country will expect Parliament to take before this session closes.