RELIEF WORKERS' RISE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 49, 27 February 1935, Page 16

RELIEF WORKERS' RISE.

. In answer to a question by Mr. A. M. Samuel, Sir Alexander Young, Minister of Employment, is reported as saying, "A sum of £175,000 a year was entailed in the operation of the new scales (of pay), and the Unemployment Board advised that its accounts indicated that a' large proportion of that increase was being paid to men registered in country areas." In order that the public might not be misled any further, in this matter, I would like to place before your readers the true position of the country relief worker. Men registered in country areas aro not entitled to rations as are tho men within the metropolitan area, neither do we receive benefits from charitable organisations. Should the local body, by which we are employed, bo unable, for any reason, to find work for us, we receive nothing, as sustenance payments arc not made to country workers. If we arc unable to carry on, on the wages paid in the country districts, and desire to move to within the metropolitan area, wo are refused registration for relief in that area by the bureau. With regard "to the large increase being paid to men registered in country areas/ , -on actual figures supplied by the Waitemata County Council, the recent "Vise" granted to relief workers shows an average loss of two shillings and twopence (2/2) per man per week to country men working in the districts under its jurisdiction. K.A.C.