RELIEF WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 4, 5 January 1934, Page 2

RELIEF WORK.

BOARD'S CONTROL.

LOCAL BODIES' UNDERTAKINGS

AUTHORISATION ESSENTIA!,.

Details of all relief work being: carried out and work proposed to he done by local bodies must in future be submitted to Mr. "VV. Slaughter, officer controlling unemployment in the Auckland district. The Unemployment Board will not refund to any local authority which carries out unauthorised works the amount paid in wages on such work*. This advice is contained in a circular forwarded to local authorities who have been '• "giving employment to relief workers under Xo. ~> scheme. It seems fairly clear that the Unemployment Board has decided to exercise a more strict control over relief work done by local bodies, because it considers that much of the work being done is work that would not be carried out under reasonably normal conditions, also that there . have been instances where local bodie.s have exploited the concessions granted by the board and have not actually dispensed, with permanent members of their staffs, but have put them on relief, which meant that the board and not the local body was paying the wages. Circular to Local Bodies. The circular cent out by, the Unemployment Board to the local bodies states: "Ever since the institution of relief under Xo. 5 scheme, which provides work through loca.l bodies, it has bceu tho intention of the board that onlv works, other than maintenance, that would not otherwise be done should be considered suitable for this method of employment. It now seems abundantly clear to the board that this condition is not being given the measure of attention to which it is entitled, while it must be obvious to all local bodies and certifying officers that, if ordinary maintenance works or even developmental works that could be reasonably carried out under normal working conditions are undertaken as relief works under the provisions of Xo. 5 scheme, we shall never return to industrial normality. It is also clear that oftentimes undue importance is given to tho locality of the work rather than to the value of the work. "With a view to obtaining the best results from the money expended on relief labour under Xo. 5 scheme, and of returning at the shortest possible period to ordinary industrial conditions, it has been decided, to provide some supervision over the classes of works that may be undertaken under Xo. 5 scheme. It is therefore to be regarded as an instruction that, before new works are put in hand as relief works under Xo. 5 scheme, details of the proposed work should bp forwarded to the_ certifying officer at Auckland for his approval. Xo refunds on wages expended on new works undertaken without the approval of the certifying officer at Auckland will bo made. "You are. also desired to furnish to tho certifying officer at Auckland details of all works at present_ being undertaken under Xo. 5 scheme in your district. Tho board would appreciate your full co-operation in this direction." The various local bodies in and around the city do not consider that the requirements of the Unemployment Board as set out in the circular will affect any works now in hand, and in the case of Mount Albert and Auckland, where big schemes are under way and giving employment to hundreds of men, the work has been authorised and f'ull details supplied. Resume Work on Monday. Relief workers will resume work on Monday next in town, and country, and camps. Several hundred men will be placed by the Auckland City Council, about 450 by the Mount Eden Borough Council, 250 by the Mount Albert Borough Council, with an additional 100 later, while the smaller local bodies will also put on their usual numbers. In those cases where work is being done which has not been authorised by the 'officer in charge of unemployment in Auckland it will be necessary to send in full particulars. Failing this information being supplied, the Unemployment Board intimates it will not refund the amount paid in wages.