NO MORE WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 126, 30 May 1934, Page 12

NO MORE WORK.

ALL ON SUSTENANCE.

ELLERSLIE RELIEF WORKERS. PROTEST TO MINISTER. The temporary cessation of relief work under No. 5 scheme and the transfer of the 80 relief workers in the district to sustenance, as from next Monday, were notified to the Ellerslie Town Board last night. The local certifying officer advised that as the funds granted for special works to be carried out under No. o scheme in Ellerslie would bo expended this week, the men would be placed on sustenance rates as from June 4. The policy would prevail until the Town Board could submit for the approval of the Unemployment Board details of work of a remunerative nature and suitable for being undertaken on a co-operative basis. "Receiving" the letter, the board decided to take 110 further action. It was explained by the chairman, Mr. H. J. White, that the board had already decided it could not continue to carry the burden of relief work under the Unemployment Board's conditions, and would be prepared to consider a more liberal scheme. Mr. Jordan's Telegram. The following telegram 011 the subject was sent to the Hon. Adam Hamilton, Minister of Employment, last night byMr. W. J. Jordan, M.P. for Manukau: — "The unemployment situation in the Ellerslie district is most serious, with your Department making its usual bungling decisions. The Town Board has spent £.">OOO 011 material, transport and tools for relief work, and is unable to continue financing, as very little money is available for maintenance work. Some 02 men have been notified to go on sustenance next week on a miserable pittance. No other work is available. The Town" Board wrote on May 10, but tlie letter was not even acknowledged. The board considers the Department's proposals impracticable, and I agree with it. Without a lot of evasion and delay, will you please inform me what provision is being made for the maintenance of the men who are placed on sustenance? Most of them are married. Your visit to Auckland has confirmed the opinion that no improvement is likely to come from the policy of the Unemployment Board, the Department or the Minister, but something must be done for the maintenance of our people. We recommend the operation of the Government's own Act of 1930, for sustenance payments."