RELIEF WORKERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 290, 7 December 1932, Page 9

RELIEF WORKERS

CHRISTMAS LEAVE. QUESTIONS IN HOUSE. ! ' STAND-DOWN WEEK. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The position of relief workers whose etand-down week occurs during the Christmas period, when a fortnight's pay without work is to be granted,,was mentioned in the House yesterday afternoon by Mr. C. Carr (Labour, Timaru), w ho asked if arrangements could be made for these men to get the full value of the gratuity. The acting-Minister of Employment, Jlr. Hamilton, said that to make such would give some of the relief workers a advantage over others. It would £.lso require an increased alloeation. It would be possible, however, for men to advance their stand-down week by a week so that they would get the benefit of the gratuity. Mr, Carr: Will the Minister do that? The Minister: The local committees can do it themselves. No Rations Allowances. Replying to Mr. M. J. Savage (Labour, Auckland West), who asked whether a .special rations allowance would be given to men who came home from •camps at Christmas, the Minister said the relief workers who went home would receive the same pay as though they had remained working in camp. -..'Mr. Savage: They are eating their own rations. The Minister: Only a few single men will be affected. \JIr. Savage: What about the single men who go to their own homes ? J,The-Minister: The question does not ask that. Mr. Savage: Will any rations alowahce be made to those who go to their own homes? The Minister: We canifot make any «uch allowance for them.

; ALMOST DEPLETED. FREE MEAT SUPPLIES. '(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. . According to information received from an authoritative quarter, practically all the stocks of meat for the unemployed in New Zealand have been exhausted, and it is not the intention Of the Unemployment Board to purchase further supplies in the meantime. ■ A biie| reference to the position was made in the House yesterday when Mr. J; A, Nash (Government, Palmerston) drew attention to a circular, which he eaid had been issued by the board, advising hospital "boards "that meat sup-" j>lies would cease as from the end of December. He asked what action the Government proposed to take in regard to further supplies for the New Year.

"The stocks of meat in Palmerston North haw been almost exhausted, and it is not intended at present to supplement them," replied the acting Minister of Employment. "The question of purcliasing further supplies will be coneidered 'by the Unemployment Board ■when the coming killing season starts."