COST OF UNEMPLOYMENT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5146, 1 July 1927, Page 2

COST OF UNEMPLOYMENT

A HEAVY BILL. THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT. To date unemployment has cost the country £150,000, and the figure is expected to reach the quarter-million mark by the time the relief works have been completed. This information was conveyed to the House of Representatives by the Minister of Labour (Hon. G. J. Anderson) in reply to the Labour charge that the Government had neglected to tackle the unemployment problem. In May, 1926, said the Minister, 74 men were placed on relief works, but in November the number had risen to 1007. It then decreased until February, when the number was. 343, but on March 10 last Cabinet took steps to have 2900 men employed. The number at that time on relief works was 659. On June 25 approximately 2000 men were engaged on relief employment, and a few weeks ago the Government went into the question again, and steps had been taken which be hoped would effectivelj’ deal with the matter. The cost had been £150,900, and when the works were completed it would run well into £250,000.

“To say that the Government is not doing anything to meet the situation,” said the Minister, "is not borne out by fact.” “The local bodies,” continued Mr Anderson .“are doing a great deal, and lire responding to the desire of the Government that they should assist. Wellington has employed 244imen, the total employed in the Dominion by the local bodies being 1034. Others are to be given work shortly.” He emphasised that it was not only the duty of the local bodies and the Government to meet the present economic position, but the duty as well of the private employer and the individual. He trusted that employers would not discharge their men if they could keep them in work under present conditions.