BECOMING RESTIVE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 150, 6 April 1933, Page 6

BECOMING RESTIVE

THREE-DAY RELIEF WORKERS. DEPUTATION TO COMMITTEE. MORE WORK ASKED FOR. The Ashburton Local Unemployment Committee met this afternoon, when the Deputy-Mayor (Mr R. Kerr) presided. There was an assembly of three-day men (Class B) outside the meetingroom prior to the meeting and three of the men were appointed to interview the committee. The deputation pointed out that the men were very short of food at the end of the week as the allocations had been so small. A ration system instead of cash payment was suggested. The chairman said the ■ committee had frequently protested to the Board, but the allocations remained low and the committee recognised that the three-day men were not getting a fair share of work. The deputation pointed out that the position regarding food was becoming desperate. The money paid did not keep the men's families in food for the week worked, let alone look after the stand-down week. The men were becoming restless as a result of the semistarvation they had to submit to Something had to be done before thp winter, and the men desired to assist the committee in every way they could. The allocations this year were larger than those of last year, but the men were feeling the pinch earlier this) year. A man could not keep his home and family together on £t a week. Mr A. Prentice asked if the deputation thought there were any men op the register who were not entitled to relief work Mr G. Kelly said it was proposed to have a number of camps during the present winter, and the County Council was negotiating with, the Board to see if a separate allowance could be given for the men in the camps, leaving the ordinary allocation for distribution among the men who remained in town. The deputation stated tTfat the three-day men, since the beginning of February, had averaged 2d a meal for their families. Mr W. Bryant asked if the men had approached the Mayor regarding food supplies. One of the deputation replied: "We recognise that Mr Kerr is the man to see. It would be no good going to the Mayor." Referring to a statement that the men proposed to wait on the Hospital Board on Saturday morning, Mr W. G. Gallagher said the Board was bound by regulations and could do no more than it was doing. The Board would like to see thejßorough make a move. The chairman said the Mayor was calling a, public meeting after Easter. The secretary (Mr W. Patterson) said that when a public meeting was called last year there were only six people present and a mere handful carried on the relief work throughout the winter.

Mr Prentice said that within the past few days the Hospital Board had received its estimate forms for the coming year and the space formerly allowed for relief funds had been blotted out. After the deputation had retired it was decided to again make strong and urgent representations to Wellington with a view to having the allocations increased. The Unemployment Board wrote that men for work under No 4A Scheme could be given any class of work. Farmers would not be given men till they paid a certain minimum wage set out by the board. Men given work under this scheme would have to be on .the register for at least two months before. The Ashburton Relief Workers' Committee wrote with regard to' the making up of time lost through wet weather. It was stated that such time had always been made up ,in the following week. The Unemployment Board wrote that the subsidy payable to single men placed in future under the rabbit extermination scheme would be 15s (instead of 20s) with the same subsidy of 5s to the farmer. The secretary reported ' that men available for next week were as folIqw; A, 44; B, 223- C, 127; total 394. The sum required was £775 4s 6d and the Unemployment Board had granted £487 18s. It was reported that the committee had made a protest last week and had not even received a reply. The allocation for next week was held to be hopelessly inadequate. It was agreed to leave tlie allocation of work to the special sub-committee. Eight men were reported to be working under No. 4A Scheme and nine under No. 10 Scheme. Applications for men under the No. 4A Scheme were received. Two were granted, two were granted till the end of September, one was granted if the minimum salary is paid. RELIEF DURING THE WINTER. BOARD AND MINISTERS CONFER. WELLINGTON, This Day. Discussion is taking place between the Minister of Employment and members of the Unemployment Board and other Cabinet Ministers to decide the course of action during the winter, when relief needs are likely to increase. It was stated in official circles today that there was little prospect of the Unemployment Board's revenue being increased, as the Government was not anxious to increase the unemployment taxation. At the same time the Consolidated Fund would be unable to stand further inroads for the purpose of relief of unemployment. The belief was expressed that the Board would devise means of overcoming the winter difficulties without having to increase its revenue. It was ascertained to-day that the machinery to administer the Small Farms (Relief of Unemployment) Act

passed last session is ready, awaiting Cabinet's approval. No decision has yet been made as to which Minister will administer the Act, although it is suggested that the Minister of Lands (Mr E. A. Ransom) may be asked to do so.