THE UNEMPLOYED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 135, 6 July 1909, Page 2

THE UNEMPLOYED.

DEPUTATION TO HON. MILLAR. "A VERY TOUGH PROBLEM." By Telegraph.—Press Association. _ Wellington, Last Night. A deputation comprising representatives of the Wellington Trades and Labor Counci 1 , Employers' Association, local bodies and local members of Parliament, asked the Minister of Labor to provide work for the unemployed. It was stated that about 1500 were out of work in Wellington, and ail that could bo raised was about £2200 with Government subsidy. In reply the Hon. J. A. Millar said they were face to face with a very tough problem. The Government was anxious to do all it could, but it could only spend what Parliament provided. All that would be available was about i 1,400,000 to March 31st next. Ilc t thought tiie unions should do something out of their fuuds. Tlie Government was sending about 700 men to bush-felling, railway, and other works. That was tlie most it could do. If public works wore to be pushed on they inust> either borrow money or increase taxation. lie was obtaining information as to the working of unemployment legislation in England and Germany, and hoped to formulate a scheme to prevent the national loss ol workers who were unproductive. The deputation's views would be laid before his colleagues, and all that was possible would bo done.