STAND-DOWN WEEK WANTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 219, 15 September 1932, Page 5

STAND-DOWN WEEK WANTED.

COUNTRY RELIEF WORKERS,

AFFECTED BY REGULATIONS

Claiming that under the Unemployment Board's amended regulations which precluded them from supplementing their earnings, the unemployed relief workers in Franklin county and Pukekohe borough, met the member for Franklin, Mr. J. N. Massey, and asked him to use his influence in an endeavour to get the board to reinstate the stand-down week. The chief spokesman for the men, Mr. B. Syverston, said that before standdown week was abolished they were able to obtain a certain amount of work privately, but since stand-down had been abolished they did not have the same opportunity, and therefore were placed at a distinct disadvantage, more especially as the harvesting season was about to commence in the Pukekohe and surrounding districts. The point was emphasised that the men realised fully the difficulties confronting the authorities in finding sufficient money to meet requirements. They also made it clear that they had never moved in the matter of urging that the stand-down week be abolished, and felt the new conditions very keenly because the new regulations meant that they would be prevented from taking full advantage of the seasonal work which, would be offering shortly. The speaker made mention of the fact that preferential treatment was being accorded unemployed in the cities, consequently there was a desire on the part of country relief workers to flock citywards. His contention was that if better treatment was given the country men, there would be a tendency for the city men to migrate to the country where there was plenty of work of a productive nature. This would relieve the cities. He concluded by paying a tribute to Mr. Massey for the efforts he had advanced on behalf of the men in Franklin, and assured him that the men fully appreciated what he had done for them. Mr. Massey, in reply, said he fully realised the difficulties of the men and assured them that he had always taken a keen interest in their welfare and had done what he could to have conditions improved. "I have, at different times, advised the country men not to agitate for the abolishment of stand-down week, because I realised that if it were abolished it would reflect on them," said Mr. Massey. Mr. Syverston: We did not agitate; we kept quiet. A Voice: Yes, too quiet. Mr. Massey told the deputation that he would place their request before the Minister and the board.