THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 299, 12 September 1921, Page 9

THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM

RATES OF PAY ON RELIEF WORKS A SUGGESTED SCHALE x The following letter has been eent by Mr. Mitchell, M.P., chairman of the Civic League, to the Mayor, R. A. Wright, M.P.) "Sir. —tn regard to the appeal noiy being organised by the Civic League it is essential that the public should know, as early as possible, the rate of wages to be paid on the proposed relief work, for such will be a’very great factor in their willingness to contribute. We note and approve your desire to employ men on the co-operative principle where possible, when the earning of those employed will be according to their ability and willingness. Wo trust, however, the fact that many of the men who Will undertake this work are discharged clerks and others entirely unused to manual labour, and, however willing, will not be able to do tho same amount as a man accustomed to it, will be allowed for when settling the price of the work. We re►tpetdfsi'lly sjubmit the following proposal :— . , , "All suitable work to be carried out on the co-operative principle. Where thia is not possible, an hourly rate is suggested which will give the., worker the following pay per day:—All men on works, 10s. per day; (2) to wife of married mail, 2a. per day; (3) for each child< under 14 years of age, Gd. per day; single men. who are the sole support of dependants to be treated on the same basis as married men. > . "This would give the following rate of pay:—Single man, 10s. per day; man and wife, 12s. per day; man, wife, and one child, 12s. 6d. per day; man, wife, and two children, 13s. per day; man, wife, and three children, 13s. Gd. per day; man, wife, and four children, 14s. per day; man, wife, and five children, 14a. Gd. per day; man, wife, and six children, 15s. per day. , "We wish to point out, 3 however, that this is relief work and the amount suggested relief pay. essentially for men with families, which it ia hoped will tide them over until they can find other employment." x Yours sincerely, (Signed) G. MITCHELL, Chairman Civic League. A reply has been received from the Mayor that the proposal "met 'with the general approval of, tho Council, -and would be given effect to on the proposed relief works.