UNEMPLOYMENT.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20620, 9 August 1932, Page 4

UNEMPLOYMENT.

GOVERNMENT RATION SCHEME. RELIEF FOR SEASONAL 1 WORKERS. LOCAL COMMITTEE MEETS. Tho Government's rations sthenic was justified in a letter from tlie Unemployment Commissioner read at yesterday's meeting of the Christcliureli Unemployment Committee. Letters from seasonal worlcors applying for relief were before the committee, Tvliieli resolved to make certain representations to the Unemployment Board. There were present: Crs. E. 11. Andrews (chairman), Annie I. Fracr, John W. Beanland, J. S. Barnett, Messrs F. W. J. Belton, W. W. Scarff, E. J. Ecroyd, E. T. Bailey, J. W. Crampton, George Harper, the licv. F. T. Eead, and Mr L. N. Hitchens (acting honorary secretary). A Reply to Questions. The Unemployment Commissioner wrote in reply to the committee's letter of July 26th, asking to bo furnished with details of the ration scheme inaugurated by the Board in Christchurch: — "I have to advise that it is impracticable to furnish such details, as the measure of relief granted is entirely dependent upon the ascertained necessity of each case. "The Board has never contended that tho relief granted is sufficient to place applicants in a comfortable standard of living, but it does claim that the extent of relief granted is the highest which its present funds wiil permit without calling on some other section ot the community to make an additional sacri, flee Tho Board also is of opinion that its 'scheme affords to necessitous cases that measure of justifiable relief which previously it was the function of Hospital Boards to dispense. «j n view of the fact that the Boaiu s scheme has been in operation for only a short time, it does not appear tliat i reasonable allowance has been made by its critics for the fact that initial difii- - culties had to be surmounted, but at the same time it is considered that over reasonable grounds complaint may have existed have now disappeared. "In conclusion, perhaps I may add that experience clearly shows that 110 -#rant of relief can reasonably be adversely criticised until careful enquiry has established the true position of the personal circumstances of tho applicant for such relief." The chairman remarked that apparently enquiries for information were always looked upon as criticism. Mr Crampton said that lie thought that matters had now pot beyond relief and that in reality permanent positions had been established, and it was a question of regular employment and not of relief. It was almost. impossible .or anyone to find employment outside some established scheme. The letter was received. Seasonal Workers' Applications. Three letters from ssasona.}. workers asking for relief work or rations were read. \ , The meeting went into committee to consider the letters. On resuming it was reported that it had been resolved: "That tho question of seasonal workers be placed before the Unemployment Boar 4; that it be pointed out that some seasonal workers have not earned equal to unemployment wages, owing to short time and rationing, and that the Board be asked to allow such cases to bo decided on their merits in the matter of additional work under the unemployment schemes, so as to place them on an equal footing with unemployed relief workers.'' Mr Bailey asked that it should be recorded that he had not voted on the * motion.

Lees Valley Road. The Oxford County Council wrote enclosing the following letter sent to the District Engineer, Public Works Department, Cbri^tcliurch: —"At a meeting of the Oxford County. Council »it was unanimously decided to ask your Department to hate established at the bridge, on the Lees "Valley road, an unemployment camp. The work of improving the sharp corners is very suit* able for the - unemployed, and, if done, will redeem the Government's promise to the Lees Valley settlers. As tlie land in the valley belongs to the Crown, the improvement of the road will increase the value of the Crown's property, besides giving relief to the unemployed of Christchurch." The chairman reported on the deputation, consisting of himself and Cr. Fraer, which waited on the Oxford County Council, and said that they had visited Leeß Valley on August 2nd, and they had been much impressed with tho necessity for the widening of the road. I? the afternoon they were favourably received by the Oxford County Council. The council, however, had no money, but gave its assurance that it would take up with the Public Works Department the matter of a camp being established. The Ashley county also was involved, and the wofst part of the road was under its-jurisdiction. It seemed necessary that a deputation should wait on that body. The Oxford County Council's letter was received, and it was decided to ask the Ashley County Council to receive 8 deputation on the subject, comprising Ors. Andrews and Fraer, and Messrs W. E. Leadley and R. T. Bailey. It also was resolved to take up the matter with the Unemployment Board. Belief Agencies. Cr. Fraer reported that the amount of rations last week had been distinctly better, though the depot could have done with more. As the weather had been so bad it was a great assistance to have the extra rations. A number of New Brighton people had been amongst the applicants, as the New Brighton depot had nothing to give them. .Respecting certain onioijs reported by an applicant to be bad, the position was that the applicant had begged to be allowed to take them. Mr Harper reported that owing to the bad weather last week tho collections under the®Pound Scheme were not expected to be as large as usual. There had been some complaints about vegetables, but vegetables at present were very scarce. The Mayor had made a special vote from his funds for the purchase 6f two tons of potatoes. The reports were received. ■ J?rdp6rty-6wn6rs and Belief. The tJneinployment Commissioner wrote that each application for relief from persons owning property, from wlrch they are unable to collect rent, wilJ bo judged on its merits, and the

Board may, at its discretion, grant relief in certain such cases where relief is considered necessary. The Board could not agree to a general relaxation of the rules governing the eligibility of persons with property, or other resource, for relief under" the . Board's schemes. The letter was received. MORE WORK NEEDED. CONFERENCE WITH LOCAL BODIES' REPRESENTATIVES. A meeting of local bodies' representatives was held yesterday morning to discuss with Messrs P. JJ. Cliiriie and R. T. Kailey matters in connexion with the employment of men under the No. 5 Scheme in this district. There were present: Messrs 11. J. Otley, W. S. Wharton, C. W. Hervey, J, W. Beanland, E. H. Andrews, W. W. Scarff, and J. Mackenzie. After discussion, the representatives present undertook to report back to their respective bodies. SCHEME NO. 4A. EFFECT ON SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT. / ~ The following circular from the Unemployment Board, relating to Scheme 4A, was before yesterday's meeting of tlio Cbristchurch Unemployment Comihittee: Prom the very large number of applications which are now being made fur men under Scheme 4A, it would appear that, to a considerable extent at any rate, use of this scheme is being made for the employment of men who would normally be engaged in seasonal occupations, such as dairying and spring shepherding. The intention of the scheme was, and is, that men employed under it should definitely be additional labour, and men should not )>o allowed to be engaged under it to carry out work which would be undertaken in the ordinary way by seasonal workers. The Board has decided therefore : (a) That no new contracts made under Scheme 4A extending beyond September :30th-shall be entered into, and, (b) That no extension of existing contracts shall bo made to extend beyond September 30th. This instruction will not, however, apply in cases where men are employed on definitely developmental work, and riot on a seasonal routine work of the farm. Cafes may arise where a seasonal worker may have entered into a 4A contract and desires later to undertake seasonal work as a milker. In piieh cases the committee should review the position from the point of view of suspending the. contract because the terms would have been violated. The circular wa>- received.