UNEMPLOYED FUND

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1932, Page 5

UNEMPLOYED FUND

MINISTER’S REPLY AN ASSURANCE OF CARE. (Per Press Association ■ — Copyright.) WELLINGTON, August 15. The figures setting out the position oil' Jhe Unemployment Fund, ns published in the “Gazette” of the 4th of August, were described by Mr Chapman, M.P., aar being so startling as to be incredible, arid certainly as being so unexpected as to call for an explanation from the Acting-Minister of Employment.

to thq “Gazette,” said Mr Chapman, the balance of the fund at the 30th of June last 6tood at £987,277, which was over-ten times the balance at the 30th' of June ,1931. “What is the policy, '*• Mr Chapman asked, “which has dictated the building up of such a, huge balance as appears to be indicated by the "Gazette”, while thousands of the unemployed are in dire need of immediate assistance P” '

( Hon Mr Hamilton replied to-day to Mr Chapman’s comment; He said that the ;, “Gafcette’’ showed the position at the 80th of June 1932 ;-Si3>follow»:— “Cash £453,165 ), imprests -outstanding, £534,113; total £987, ; Mr Hamilton pointed out that tht imprests outstanding actually represented expenditure thaf had been financed from the fund' for varioui relief scheme, but • pending the final dissection and examination of the vouchers, this was shown temporarily as imprests outstanding. The actual cash balance in the fund at the 30th of June he ‘said was £453,165. The Minister went on show that this sum - iricl .ded a amount of revenue that has been received in advance, which*,he said, it would not be sound policy 1 to expend in the meantime.

“The public can Bttfely accept an assurance,” he. (said, “that the fund# made* available by Parliament are being closely and carefully 'budgeted to provide regular relief from week to week, and wo are leaving in the' fund only such a margin of cash to meet commitments as is consistent with, prudence and. (safety.” >