RELIEF WORK ALLOCATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 121, 24 May 1932, Page 5

RELIEF WORK ALLOCATIONS.

COUIfTRY CENTRES INDIGNANT j UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD'S AIM. Considerable adverse criticism of the Unemployment Board's treatment of unemployed workers outside the city areas, was expressed at last evening's meeting of the Manurcwa Town Board. At the previous meeting it was decided to enter a vigorous protest against the action of the Unemployment Board in allowing the new scale of payment for relief workers under the Xo. 5 scheme to be limited to the main centres. Tho following reply was received from the Minister of Employment: "The intention is to apply tho new arrangements first in the four chief centres, and gradually to extend outwards. Already as far as the stand-down week is concerned, there is no objection if the allocations available to any locality are so disbursed and relief work is so arranged as to give a measure of relief every week. The matter of further adjusting the allocation for Manurcwa has been referred to the Unemployment Board, and will have every possible consideration."

The clerk, Mr. H. Kay, said the suggestion was, apparently, to spread the present allocation over the additional week in cacli month. The chairman, Mr. W. J. Ferguson, expressed the opinion that there was nothing just about the proposition, and that "there seems to be no brains behind it." He thought that there was trouble ahead if the present conditions continued. Mr. T. H. Fleming said it was a case of showing favouritism to men in the cities, whilst local men paid the same taxation. Other members expressed the opinion that the preference looked like a reward for the recent lawlessness in the cities. After further discussion it was decided, on the motion of Mr. Fleming, to ask the Unemployment Board to allocate the funds proportionately. PAPAKURA DEPUTATION. The deputation appointed by * public meeting in Papakura last -week to try to improve conditions of the unemployed in Papakura, and also to endeavour to get the allocations increased, met Mr. J. N. Massey, M.P., .yesterday. After having figures placed before him, Mr. Massey promised to continue to endeavour to get the allocations increased. "Should any Papakura relief workers be of opinion that better conditions exist in the Franklin County, the county is quite prepared to take them on at Franklin," he said.