THE WORKLESS ARMY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 327, 14 September 1932, Page 5

THE WORKLESS ARMY

A TOTAL OF 73,241 Wellington, Tuesday. A total of 73,241 men were wholly or partly dependent upon relief from the Unemployment Board during the week ended September 3, according to a statement issued to-day by the Acting-Minister of Employment. In addition to the first review of the registration of published figures, the statement contains the first initial analysis of the actual manner in which relief workers are being employed. The number remaining on the register of the Unemployment Bureau throughout the Dominion during the week ended September 3, was 56,456, said the Minister. There has been little variation in the total registrations during the preceding four weeks. Of this number, 49,380 were on relief under Scheme No: 5, leaving 7076 unplaced during the week under review. Most of these men, for various reasons, were ineligible for relief under the Unemployment Board's scheme. In addition to the figures quoted, there were 16,785 in employment, provided per medium of assistance granted through the unemployment fund, the details being as follows: Subsidised employment on farms under Schemes 4A and 4B, and farm camps, etc., 12,945, camp schemes, mostly single men, land improving development, 1350, highways, backblock roads, 1250, building subsidised scheme No. 10, 830, gold prospecting schemes, exclusive of 1242 meh prospecting under Scheme No. 5, 250, miseellaneous, 150, total, 16,785. It will be seen, therefore, • that 36,165 men were one way or another a charge on the unemployment fund during the week under review, stated tho Minister, while if the unplaced men be included, 73,241 will be wholly or partly dependent on relief from the Unemployment Board. It is estimated that of the 66,165 men quoted, at least 36,000 were engaged on developmental and reproductive work in conneetion with Dominion primary industry.