THE UNEMPLOYED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 192, 28 May 1934, Page 7

THE UNEMPLOYED

FREE RATIONS OF MILK.

SUSTENANCE MEN IN AUCKLAND (Per Press Association), AUCKLAND, May 26. Free rations of milk to'married men who are on permanent sxistenance payments will be issued in Auckland the winter, according to a decision made yesterday by the Unemployment Board.

Several hundred , families will be affected by the. scheme, 'which will start early next week. Supplies will range from seven to 21 pints weekly, according to the size, of the household, and on current prices the concession in the maximum represents 4s 4£d weekly. The ration orders will be based on the number of children under 16 years of age. The Minister (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) said to-day that the decision had been made because of representations that the sustenance rates were inadequate to prevent hardship. The scheme should, be helpful during the winter, and* was an endeavour to further the objective of increasing the consumption of milk products within the Dominion. The Minister* said ft was important to remember there were two classes of men receiving sustenance. The first class received sustenance during their stand-down periods j The second class included three groups. There were (a) men over'so years of age whose wives received the old-age pension and who had been taken off' relief work in order to leave more jobs available; (b) men over 50 who had elected to accept sustenance in lieu of relief work; (c) men who through their physical condition were unable to do pick-and-shovel work and for whom no light work could be found. ,

These three groups had been placed on sustenance, at rates ranging from 15s weekly in the case of a man whose wife had a pension to 26s weekly plus family allowances when such were warranted.

MARRIED MEN AND CAMPS. FEILDING, May 26. Organised by relief workers, and presided oyer by the Mayor (Mr C. E. Taylor), a meeting was held to-day with the Hon. J. G. Cobbe present. The relief workers had proposed to hold a demonstration, but the police authorities refused a permit for this. The meeting was called to protest against sending married men to camps. Mr Cobbe was asked to say that he would support their "demands." Local speakers were supported by a contingent from "Palmerston North, the latter making strong ' and noisy speeches. The meeting, on the whole, though very lively, was orderly. The Mayor was subjected to some insulting interjections, which drew reprimands. The Minister refused to say he would support the men's demands, adding that the subject was being considered by .the Cabinet on Monday. The Mayor said he did not favour the proposal to send married men to the Kairigaroa tree-planting camp, thus breaking up "their homes, but if the camp was made within a_ reasonable distance of Feilding, and the men conveyed to and from it so that they« could have the week-ends at home, and providing the rates of pay were reasonable, the men should not object. (Jeers.)