The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1927. IS THE “DOLE” SYSTEM JUSTIFIED?

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10303, 12 January 1927, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1927. IS THE “DOLE” SYSTEM JUSTIFIED?

That what is known as the ‘‘dole’' system of aiding the work Jess in the Homeland has continued over such a lengthy period has, no doubt, created not a little surprise in the Overseas Dominions, where it cannot he said to. lie looked upon as a method of alleviating the unemployment problem to be followed with advantage. What is generally supposed in these lands is that the State subsidy to the scheme could bo better spent on relief works or oil a migration scheme. But, according to Capt. Crookshank, the Conservative member for Gainsborough , the “dole"’ system has been grossly misrepresented outside Britain and, as a matter of fact, it is likely to become permanent. It would seem that, originally, there was considerable looseness in the methods of administering the scheme or, in other words, that practically everybody who asked for relief was placed on the “dole.” All that, however, has now been changed. To he eligible to remain on the “dole” an idle worker must have contributed to the scheme whilst he was in work and his name is allowed to remain on the hooks for a period proportionate to the amount of his contributions. The system is held by Capt. Crookslianks to he justified on the grounds that those who benefit have contributed to the fund which is drawn upon. In other words, the Government’s contention is that the “dole” is nothing more than a sjrstem of unemployment insurance. Every wage-earner, with the exception of those following agricultural pursuits and domestic servants, automatically and compulsorily contribute week by week towards the fund whilst in work. In addition to the wage-earners, the State and the employers of labor also compulsorily contribute. What is held, in the circumstances, is that the term , “dole” is a misnomer. Capt. Crookshank goes on • to say that the principle of contributory relief in various forms is growing in favor in the Motherland. To-day instead of the S*ate alone finding the funds for old ago pensions it merely pays a subsidy.. Widows’ pensions bad also been introduced on a contributory basis. A similar principle applied to health insurance. No doubt in the case of health insurance and in old age lelief the 1 contributory system is a step in the right direction. But the difficulty in regard to aid for the unemployed is that those unfortunate enough to find themselves in that particular category as, by no means incapacitated. What a pity it is, therefore, that expenditure of such a character must remain unproductive! Capt. Crookshank attempts to make a strong point that it must not be supposed that all who appear on the lists of unemployed obtain the “dole.” As a case in point, he says that in December there were 1,103, 000 on the unemployment registers

_____ —r» Tl* '"" CllHli r r,r ed at Home-and, as , we J said the expenditure is P ductive —most certainly const,tuto fas too heavy a dram on |iofe dustry and the State, question requires to berertevvei