THE UNEMPLOYED

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1932, Page 5

THE UNEMPLOYED

SUSTENANCE PAY SURPRISE IN CHRISTCHURCH. (Per Pi ess Association — Copyright.) \ - CHRISTCHURCH, October 29. Unemployed men in Christciiuifcli who wtire not found work by local bodies during the week, received sustenance allowances from the Unemployment Board’s bureau in St. Asaph Street this morning. A large number of men, according to instructions, Reported to the bureau at y. 30 a.m., and were. pleasantly surprised to find that, instead! of merely receiving orders for the coming week, they were paid half of the amount they would have earned had work been available for them during the week. Two and a-half day men, who ordinarily earn 25s a week, received cash payments of 12s 6d, and payments in the same proportion were made to three and four day men. About 2000 families are still being assisted every week by the Citizens’ Relief Association, and 2000 families means about 8000 children. SOLUTION ‘OF UNEMPLOYMENT., PROPOSAL BEFORE PARLIAMENT WELLINGTON, October 29. A schemk for the solution of the unemployment problem by the formulation of a policy of several developmental work, including irrigation, drainage and gold mining undertakings, financed by the £4,000,000 spent annually by the Uemployment Boat’d, supplemented! by an issue of Treasury Bills totalling was advanced by Mr Bodkin (Govt., Central Otago) in the House.

He did not subscribe to a State, note issue for payments of a national dividend, because the note issue was a debt that had to. be made goed by assets. However, it was a different matter when notes were issued! for the purpose of,' creating assets which would redeem them. The works he had referred to would increase the assets of the country.

The policy lib proposed was not one of inflation, because there was no inflation where assets, were created. The issue could be' limited to £6,009,000 .per annum, for »’ period of three years, and, together with' £4,000,000 provided! by taxation, would mean that a yearly amount of £lO- - would he provided for profitable works which .would make tHe country richer for all time. A sinking fund could bo provided and the whole scheme could be placed on a businless-like footing.

FRAUDS IN NEWFOUNDLAND. VANCOUVER, October 28, A message from St. John’s, Newfoundland, 'states that Roland S* arkea the Opposition member of the Legislature for White Bay, lias been arrested on seventeen charges of fraud in connection with the distribution of relief to the unemployed. The police have . laid a charge that Starbes fraudulently signed dble receipts during a oeriod of several months. He has been released on . bail. DOLE PAYMENTS OVERHAULED. SYDNEY, October 30. Due to the Government’s overhauling of the dole payments, and also to extra vigilance in minimising impoeition, it is official lv believed that a saving of two million pounds will be effected this year on the New South Wales dole payments.

The State Cabinet will shortly consider the lowering of the wage tax.