JUNE 25.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1799
statutory authority, an Adjustment Court which will have power to determine
questions affecting such rights and liabilities, and to make such orders as seem
equitable.
In almost every country the depression in trade and industry existing
to-day appears to be unprecedented, and in consequence the problem of widespread unemployment has become more acute. The question of devising
a practicable solution has been, and is still, engaging the close attention of
statesmen and economists in all parts of the world. In this Dominion it
has been possible, under the provisions of the Unemployment Act, 1930,
materially to relieve the position, and in co-operation with local bodies and
private individuals my Government have succeeded in ameliorating considerably
the condition of a large number of persons who would otherwise have experienced
great hardship.
The Unemployment Board is making every effort to cope with the
problem, and as much work as possible is, in addition, being provided on
public works and other State activities. It is evident, however, that
increased funds must be placed at the disposal of the Board, and proposals
to this end will be submitted for your urgent consideration.
With the great decrease in revenue, my Advisers were reluctantly compelled to impose reductions in the salaries and wages of public servants.
The Court of Arbitration similarly decided that prevailing economic conditions
necessitated the issue of a General Order reducing the minimum rates of pay
prescribed by its awards. General reductions have also been made by public
bodies and private employers. My Ministers are confident that the action
being taken will result in the retention in employment of a large number of
workers who otherwise would have to be dispensed with owing to the substantial reduction in the income of employers and thus swell the ranks of
the unemployed. The spirit of self-sacrifice displayed by all sections of the
community is commendable.
When I last addressed you I indicated the intention of my Advisers to
submit legislation constituting a Board to control the railways, and generally
to manage the affairs of the Railways Department in accordance with business
principles. Legislation was duly passed; the Board has since been constituted and has now commenced its duties. My advisers are of the opinion
that this action will result in improving materially the financial position of the
railways and thus promoting the welfare of the Dominion.
The suspension of compulsory military training due to the necessity for a
reduction of Defence expenditure enabled many members of the permanent
Defence Force to retire on superannuation under the provisions of the Finance
Act, 1930 (No. 2). My Advisers have recently approved of the reorganization of
the Defence Forces on a voluntary basis. The organization of the Territorial
Force will remain on the divisional basis which has proved satisfactory in the
past, and wil. preserve the traditions of the units. It will provide for the
training of approximately 10,000 men. In addition, every encouragement will
be given to the training of cadets at secondary schools. The Government
seek the co-operation of employers in making a success of the new scheme by
encouraging their employees to enlist and carry out their training.
An Act was passed last year to promote the re-establishment in civil
employment of disabled ex-members of the New Zealand Forces. Unfortunately,
owing to the financial position of the Dominion, it was not possible for my
Ministers to make arrangements to give immediate effect to the Act, but
the necessary machinery is now being set up, which it is hoped will substantially
benefit the large number of disabled ex-soldiers who are either wholly
unemployed or have no regular employment.
MR. SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, —
The Dominion is still beset with great difficulties arising out of the world-wide fall in prices. As a direct result, notwithstanding the industry of our
producers, the value of our exports for last financial year amounted only to
£39,527,000, a decline of £17,626,000 in comparison with the financial year
B