THE UNEMPLOYMENT BILL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 635, 13 September 1933, Page 4

THE UNEMPLOYMENT BILL

The astonishing statement made on Monday by the Hon. Adam Hamilton regarding the position of the unemployment fund in New Zealand should vividly illustrate the deplorable ineptitude which has been displayed in dealing with this problem. Nothing could he more condemnatory of the Coalition administration than the Minister' s utterances. Maybe they carry the merit of an honest revelation of the sorry condition into which the country has been allowed to drift, bnt they are certainly not a recommendation of a Government which is seeking a continuance of public confidence. While Mr. Coates is wooing the electors of Lyttelton with pictures of the Govern-

■ ! ■— — — — — i • * ment's attempt to fight fhe depression we have his colleague telling the public that the unemployment fund is mopping up £4,800,000 a year. Not only is this huge sum being spent upon the creation of a false industrial position, but the amouht required is increasing each year. The sum expended during the year was £200,000 ahead of the previous twelve months and Mr. Hamilton calmly discloses the fact that he may have to ask the Minister for Finance for another £10,000 a week next winter. The income of the! board, he stated, was £83,700 weekly and the expenditure £90,000. How such figures can be reconciled with a claim for extended confiden'ce is hard, to under stand. When urged to raise an internal loan for genuine reproductive works and the restoration of standard wages to the industrial classes Mr. Coates talked lengthily about the unwisdom of borrowing and the need for courage and sacrifice unt.il prosperity was restored by normal methods. Strange as it may seem, however, the party which is op~ posed — at the moment — to borrowing is quite prepared to raise and spend £4,300,000 a year upon unprofitable works witfP out a hope of getting fair reeompense for the outlay or restoring a normal standard of purchasing power to the wage-earn-ers. Our overseas markets have shown sound improvement — prices for wool, meat, .butter and cheese all showing encouraging appreciation — yet the Government has done nothing I to meet the rising tide nor stimulate recovery. In fact the reverse is the case and instead of an improvement within the Dominion its seems we must face the prospect of raising a further £10,000 a week to continue the deplorable muddle.