RELIEF MEASURES

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1931, Page 6

RELIEF MEASURES

ANNOUNCEMENT TO’ BE MADE IMMEDIATELY. AUCKLAND, December 7. An indication of the measure of assistance to he afforded unemployed in the “tide over” Christmas period will be given immediately by the Right Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister in Charge of Unemployment. That- promise was. given by Air Coates when replying in Auckland to representations made by a deputation of Auckland members of Parliament. Mr M. J. Savage said the deputation was the outcome of a. meeting of members, of Parliament with the unemployed ori' Friday. The position was going from had to- worse, particularly through the system of rationing. The main object of the deputation, said Mr Savage was to see what there was in view, in the first place to tide men over the Christmas period, and in the second place to put them into peimanent employment. Other members of the deputation also spoke. Mr Coates, in reply, first, expressed his sincere appreciation of the spirit of co-operation shown by the members of - the deputation. “It is agreed,” he said, “that the problem of unemploy.merit is one that should occupy our best'attention, so that- we may render the greatest measure of assistance to those who are up against it. The best brains, fn the world .have been baffled in finding- absolution of-the problem, ■ although I do not see that that is any reason why we should not attempt to handle it.”

QUESTION OF REVENUE. Mr Coates emphasised the difficulty in which he' was placed as to how far he was justified in pledging the funds of the Unemployment Board. It was most difficult to estimate the revenue upon which the board could rely. An estimate was placed at £50,000, hut actually the sum did not work out at that amount.

| ■' “I hope to be able to say to the Unemployment- Committee ~ to-morrow what extra amount will be available to meet the position before the New Year,” said Mr Coates. “That is not to say that this, matter has not been given- definite attention. Two or three days’ work a week are. given. Although the assistance is anything hut satisfactory, there are probably more than 12,000 men registered who do not get anything, so that will give you an idea of the magnitude of the problem. I shall not go into the question o-f productive works, although we ■ are all agreed that they are desirable.”

Mr Party: What about arrangements for after the New Year?

5 Air Coates: We have several industries under consideration, and I hope within the' next fortnight to be able to give a correct estimate of the extra men they will be able to absorb, both in primary and secondary industries.

YOUTH PROBLEM

“The problem of youth is a- very serious one,” added.j. ATr • - Coates. “Through being out of work a youth might take the wrong turning for life. If the present position lasts it will be a greater problem than finding work for men who ar© registered,” Air Savage repeated the offer of every assistance from the Labour Party, for which Air Coates expressed his appreciation, stating that he would communicate with thp deputation almost immediately.