UNEMPLOYMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1933, Page 6

UNEMPLOYMENT

REPORT DEBATED IN HOUSE.

MOTION BY MR HOLLAND

(Per Press Associatv>i\r~ Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, Match: 7 In the House of-Representatives this morning, theHon ; ' Adam. ' Hamilton initiated a' debate; on the report of the Unemployment Board. He stated .the—position of the Board’s fund, _ 10marking. that it- continued to be in a reasonably, healthy' condition, Tfc had 'bfeeri ‘-heped ' 'that a larger, ckcreaise than bald actually occurred would have taken place in the registrations during the summer and autumn, hut it had not been until the four-weekly period had ended on January 28 that the expenditure had been reduced to a figure below the Board’s revenue for the same period.

lie said that, if allocations could be maintained at that figure, the Board would be able to. improve the conditions of the' fund to provide an adequate working margin for the coming winter. Efforts to that end y ere essential, if the Board was to avoid a drastic curtailment of its relief activities during the winter, or asking for- an increase in tax.

The Leader of the Opposition moved that it..be a recommendation to the Government that immediate steps he taken, to rehabilitate in industry—(on wages that would provide a reasonable standard of living), all these citizens who were now on relief works, or wholly unemployed, and that to this end a. planned system of primary and secondary industrial development and a. comprehensive public works scheme embracing national and local undertakings of economic character, be adopted' with the establishment of

necessary credits and the issiie of whatever currency was required by the State. The Debate was proceeding when the House adjourned at 1 r>.m.