REFUNDS DEMANDED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 69, 23 March 1931, Page 9

REFUNDS DEMANDED.

TRANSPORT OF UNEMPLOYED

COUNTY COUNCIL SURPRISED

"TRYING TO HELP THE MEN."

"We were out to help the men over transport costs, but have been prevented by official action," stated Mr, W. A. Bishop, chairman of the Waitemata County Council, this morning, in commenting upon the position which has arisen over the county making arrangements with the men employed under No. 5 unemployment scheme to pay a proportion of their transport to and from work. "The men," he added, "are making their own arrangements now, and it is being proved that they will pay tAvice as much as under the scheme that was in operation."

Mr. Bishop stated that he was going to Wellington this evening to discuss the position with the Minister of Labour, with a view to having the original arrangement sanctioned. Mr. Bishop explained that several members of the Waitemata County j Council and a representative of the i Manukau County Council were present ' at a meeting on February 25, with Mr. Finn, of the Unemployment Board, when Mr. Finn stated that no trouble need be expected in reference to a contribution from the men towards transport. On March 10 they received a letter stating that the taking of contributions from the men was not in order, and the following day the county engineer was officially notified that he must give a certificate stating that no deductions had been made for transport expenses, and that any deductions that had been made had been refunded. They had had nothing from Mr. Finn since, except a telephone message to the effect that the It was a great surprise, said Mr. council's action was in order. Bishop, to be informed officially that no refunds of money expended under the scheme, acounting to approximately £6000, would be made unless the transport contribution were paid back to the men. The men had made the payments willingly, with one exception. In no case had the men been asked to contribute more than 2/6 for four days' transport. That was the maximum amount. The money could not now be refunded in every instance, as some of the men had left the district, and some had left New Zealand.