THE "MEANS TEST."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 73, 28 March 1933, Page 6

THE "MEANS TEST."

With regard to the rt means test" form issued by the Unemployment Board, the chief objection I have to it is this: Two questions which are asked are: (1) "Do you engage in intermittent work?" (2) "Income (not wages) of applicant and family during the past months (please note the words "and family") from tile sale of milk, cream, fnvs or otli/f produce." Now the object of the board is t® reduce the relief workers' pa-y by such aiyount equivalent to the amount of such income received from these two sources—and other sources, if any. It is useless to deny this. Such actions on the part of the board compels a relief worker to give up all thought . of striking out for himself in any small way whatever to get above No. 5 scheme —perhaps with the ultimate object of becoming independent of it. My wife will soon need medical attention, I need money badly. My relief pittance will not allow of any portion of it to be saved. I must find an additional source of income, no matter how small. That income the Government would deprive me of, per medium of this "means test." What must I do? Tell lies and so defeat this questionnaire? That sin is apparently mv only alternative. HARASSED.