PROBLEM OF THE WORKERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 40017, 31 October 1929, Page 4

PROBLEM OF THE WORKERS.

CAUSING GRAVE CONCERN.

PERMANENT SOLUTION, BEING SOUGHT BY GOVERNMENT.

In the course of the Public Works Statement, 'the Hon. E. A. Ransom said“ The position regarding unemployment has, since my assumption of office, given me pause for grave concern, andanuch thought has been devoted as to how the problem could best be handled. On assuming office I found that 2935 men were engaged on relief ' wofikis by imy Department, at a wage of 9/- a day for single men and 12/- per day for married men, the standard rate of wages being 14/- per day. The Government considered the matter and decided that the' wages of relief workers were to be raised to the standard | rate of 14/-, and this was immediately done. While endeavouring to arrive at a permanent solution of the unemplojunent problem I i have not lost sight of the fact that immediate relief was urgently ne- , cessary, and my Department has used evdry effort to absorb the maximum number of men possible ■' on its various works. The placing of large numbers of men on public 1 works is, however, not a permanent 'means of overcoming the difficulty. ‘The Government, realising this '.fact, has given very full consideration to various schemes which would mean the permanent removal of considerable numbers from the , ranks of the unemployed, and it is anticipated that during the present summer several of these schemes will be finalised and put into operation, thus materially relieving the ’position as far as next winter is concerned. As honourable members arc .aware, the Government has given 'an undertaking that all unemployed capable of employment will be placed in work at a certain date. A sub-committee of Cabinet has the matter in hand, and proposals in this direction are at the present time receiving the committee’s attention/*