OPPOSITION TO DOLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 920, 13 March 1930, Page 8

OPPOSITION TO DOLE

ONEHUNGA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HIGHWAYS PLAN SUGGESTED The recent report of the special Committee on Unemployment set tfp j by the Hon. \\ . A. \ eitch, ’Minister of Labour, came up for discussion at the meeting of the Onehunga - Manuk&a Chamber of Commerce last evening; j when the following resolution, moved by Mr. E. R. Allen, was carried: — * That this chamber, while in sympathy with the Government’s desire to alleviate unemployment, is utterly opposed to any dole system. It is of ! opinion that a far-seeins main highways scheme, together with the break- ; ing in of undeveloped lands, would provide for practically all unemployed men for many years to come, and would give adequate results for all moneys expended.” Mr. Allen held that the unemployment question would never be settled by the proposed scheme, and that the taxation proposal was unsound, partly I because 23 per cent, of the amount would be absorbed in the cost of collection. He considered that in tlio event of the scheme being approved by Parliament, it would still be impossible for families of unemployed men to exist on the proposed dole, and in addition, the dole would tend to encourage paupers and parasites. He strongly urged the opening up of idle lands by unemployed, and the nationalisation and energetic laying down of the main highways, as the speediest and most profitable method of absorbing surplus labour. An amendment voicing the chamber’s opposition to the general principles laid down in the report, and eliminating the reference to the dole, was lost on the voices. A deputation consisting of the president. and acting-secretary, Mr. C. F. Milnes, was appointed to wait upon the Chief Postmaster. Auckland, with a view to providing better facilities at the Royal Oak I’ost Office, erecting an additional pillar-box in Queen Street, and establishing better mail services to and from the settlements on the Manukau Harbour. As the result of a discussion, in which several members complained of the inconvenience likely to arise by the closing of the banks during the Easter holidays, the secretary was instructed to ask the associated banks to make such arrangements as will cause a minimum of inconvenience to business people at Easter. The Auckland Harbour Board is to be requested to provide a light on the Onehunga Wharf for the convenience of passengers by launches. Pursuant to notice given by Mr J. E. Green, the chamber unanimously decided to hand over to the Onehunga School Committee a sum of £l3, beinp the balance of a fund raised in 3 926 in connection with a business carnival. The donation, which will carry a £ for £ subsidy from the Education Department, is to augment the fund now being raised for the improvement of the school grounds.