UNEMPLOYMENT.

Wairarapa Age, 10 March 1927, Page 4

UNEMPLOYMENT.

THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS.

DETAILS OF RELIEF. STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. WELLINGTON, March 9. The Prime Minister to-day made a statement on unemployment. He touched on the difficulties of the Public Works Department providing a continuous programme of work for casual labour. Notwithstanding the difficulties, the Government has already provided employment for over 2000 workers to excess of the regular public works employees. “It is realised, however,’’ added Mr. Coates, “that while the Government can’t reasonably be expected to 1 shoulder the whole responsibility of finding employment for those who are out of wofrk, the interests of the country, as well as the dictates of humanity, render it necessary that at the present moment the utmost should be done that can be done." The Government accordingly was exploring every possible avenue both public and private, he continued. It was inquiring into the position of the coal mining industry with a view if possible to increasing the amount of coal raised locally. It was also arranging for an investigation into the cause of the depression of the timber industry. Steps have been taken to restrict unskilled immigrants during the winter months. Commencing at the beginning of next month (the planting season) the Forestry Department can, if necessary, employ some 500 workers immediately or in the near future. Work in the Public Works Department will be made available for some 2000 men in addition to those already employed. This work is in advance of programme and necessitates provision for extra finance. “It is felt under the circumstances .that, with the object of limiting the assistance available to cases of actual necessity, it would not be right to offer wages for these works equal to these paid to regular Public Works Department employees, and further as a considerable proportion of the unemployed are seasonal workers who should at the appropriate time return to their normal employment, it is essential that the wage offered should not be high enough to induce them to remain indefinitely with the Public Works Department."

Arrangements have already been made for work to be available in the following Public Works Department districts:—Whangarei, 140 men; Auckland, 750; Tauranga, 165; Napier, 50; Wellington, 175; Stratford, 60; Tauniarunui, 250; Nelson, 130; Dunedin, 230. There are also other localities to be mentioned later. The remuneration will be on the co-operative contract basis where possible, so as to return an equivalent of 12s a day for married men and 9s a day for single men. Where the co-operative system is not possible, an hourly basis at the above rates will pertain. There is nothing to prevent those on the co-operative system receiving more if they can earn more. It is not proposed to alter the remuneration at present being paid to relief workers already employed by the Public Works Department, but on the completion of the work they are on they will be reengaged on the reduced -(P.A.)