RELIEF MEASURES

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1932, Page 5

RELIEF MEASURES

NEW PROPOSALS

ANNOUNCED BY MR COATES. /By Teleyruph —Per Press Association, WELLINGTON, March 23. Highly important proposals for the relief cf unemployment we, e announced by Hon, J. G. Coates in the House this afternoon. Tlics-! include: — An increase m the wages tax to a shilling in the pound. The establishment of a rural allotment scheme.

The extension of the principle ol placing men on existing hums and moving single men from the cities to highway construction and other camps. The provision for ..ccommodation for workers under Scheme No. 4A, and the extension of Scheme No. 5 to rural areas. The development of land drainage, tidal flats reclamation, and lechunatioii of virgin label scheme?. The metalling of backhlucks roads, assistance to gold prospectorh, and the transference frdin .Hospital Boards tile Unemployment Board, of responsibility for relief of distress arising o ut of unemployment. Under the proposed rural allotments plan, holdings of from five to ten acres will be.made available, accommodation will be supplied and the occupant will lie able to work part cf his time for neighbouring farmers. In the meantime he may receive a portion of the present relief allowance.

Under the new financial arrangements the Consolidated Fund subsidy for unemployment will cease.

The Bill, giving legislative effect to the proposals, was introduced this afternoon in the House.