Red Space Rocket

Overseas borrowing to fund greater levels of farming, manufacturing, and mining.
Migration has increased to boost the workforce.
World trading ceased with the crash of the US stock market.

Unemployment figures.
1928 10.8%
1930 19.3%
1932 29.0%
1934 20.5%
1936 12.3%
1938 9.7%

Produce a line graph for this data.
Produce pie graphs for 1928 and 1932

Unions against the dole because;
People entitled to a job not benefits.
Government against the dole because of;
The cost.
Thought it created bludgers.
Thought it was up to charities to help the poor.
The Depression got worse and charities could not cope.

Subsidised health care was almost non-existent.
Government provided ration tickets as assistance for breadwinners out of work.
Called sustenance payments.
Widely known as “the susso”

ACTIVITY
Why do you think government gave people ration tickets for food instead of money?

The dole had a means test.
Singles got less than married people.
In 1932 you have to work for the dole in Victoria. Often it was building;
Roads
Bridges
Public buildings
In 1933 about 75% of unemployed men did relief work.

Jack Lang
NSW Premier from 1925 1927 and 1930 1932
Believed selfish capitalists and banks caused The Depression.
Wanted to refuse to pay debts to English banks and use money for social welfare programs in Australia.
He was dismissed by the NSW Governor in 1932.

Premier’s Plan – 1931
Reduce government spending my 20%
Cut wages and pensions by 20%
Lower interest rates.
Increase taxation.
Make payments on foreign debts.

ACTIVITY
Explain what the Premier’s probably hoped each of these would achieve to help in the Depression.