Minister Framing Unemployment Plan HON. G. J. ANDERSON

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 215, 30 November 1927, Page 1

Minister Framing Unemployment Plan

HON. G. J. ANDERSON

WORK IN BAD TIMES IMPROVEMENT AT PRESENT (THE SUNS Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The Minister of Labour, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, is giving consideration to the formulation of a scheme for avoiding excessive unemployment, and although he does not consider that the time has come for the operation of such a scheme he admitted in the House of Representatives this evening that there might be need for it in the future.

Mr. Anderson informed members that the unemployment barometer, as reflected in the Labour Department’s figures, showed a steady decrease in the numbers of men out of work. At present there were about 1,600, the number having dropped heavily during the past few weeks. Many of those now on the books were of the type for whom it was difficult to find employment, and the lower the number became the harder did it become to place them. Mr. R. McKean: Some Government departments are putting men off; the railways, for instance. Mr. Anderson: I do not know anything about that, but the department’s book is a barometer showing whether

unemployment is falling or rising. It shows a distinct falling at present. I hope it will continue. Mr. Anderson assured the House that the question of unemployment insurance was being watched carefully by an officer specially appointed before the session. Any scheme would have to be' In the direction of securing work of a varied nature in the off season to keep men in Jobs in difficult times. Enghteen months ago tjiere was no need for such a scheme, but there might be some need for it in the future, though not at present. He was going into it immediately after the session with the Hon. K. S. Williams, Minister of Public Works.