GOVERNMENT RELIEF WORKS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 70, 15 December 1928, Page 10

GOVERNMENT RELIEF WORKS

PAYMENT OF FULL WAGES ESTIMATED COST OF INCREASE What the increase in the rate of wages of 3000 men engaged on public works from 9s. and 12s. a day to 14s. a day would involve was briefly explained by the Prime Minister (Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) in the House of Representatives early yesterday morning, when replying to the debate on the second reading of the Finance Bill. The total extra cost was £150,000 a year, he said. The increase would be paid to men in country districts, but the present rates of 9s. and 12s. for single and married men respectively engaged on relief works in the city would meanwhile continue. Further light on the policy in regard to unemployment was sought in questions without notice when the House resumed at 11.30 a.m. Mr. D. G. .Sullivan (Avon) wan concerned to know whether an assurance would be given that, after the rising of the House and pending the bringing into effect of the new Public Works policy, those unemployed would be assisted iu getting work. “The House can rely on the Government doing what it can,” replied Sir Joseph Ward. “Until the development works take place it is impossible to say just how much we can do.” The Leader of the Opposition (Right Hon. J. G. Coates) asked whether it was proposed to increase forthwith the rates of pay on what were known as relief works to 14s. a day. He was particularly anxious to know the position, as it affected men on a contract, based on 12s. The Prime Minister replied that the Government would go fully into the question of relief pay as soon as the House rose, particularly to see what could be done in regard to increasing the rate in the towns and cities. In regard to the men on contracts he said the amount would be brought up to fourteen shillings.

A NEW DEPARTURE DAYLIGHT SITTINGS OF PARLIAMENT INQUIRY TO BE HELD The House of Representatives yesterday appointed a Select Committee to inquire during the recess into the possibility of introducing daylight sittings for Parliament. The committee is Io “consider such amendment of the procedure and Stand ing Orders of the House as will facilitate the passage of its business.” said the L’rime Minister (Right lion. Sir Joseph Ward), explaining that the main object concerned the daylight sittings. He considered that daylight sittings would be a good thing for the country. (Hear, hear.) The personnel of the committee is its follows: Mr. Speaker (lion. Sir Charles Statham), the Prime Minister, the Minister of Lands (Hon. G. W. Forbes), the Minister of Native Affairs (Hon. Sir Apirann Ngata). the Chairman of . Committees (Mr. S. G. Smith), the Leader of the Opposition (Right Hon. .1. G. Coates), the Hon. W. I). Stewart (Dunedin West). Mr. J. A. Nash (Palmerston). Mr. P. ffTaser (Wellington Centra!) Mr IT. E. Holland (Buller), nnd Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton).

NEW ZEALAND’S CREDIT IN LONDON MOST FAVOURABLE TERMS FOR LOAMS (Australian Press Assn — Hulled Service.! (Rec. December 14, 7.45 p.m.) London, December J-I. Commenting on a cable message from Wellington on Sir Joseph Ward’s relereiiees to difficult les on the London nuirkel respecting loans, the "Morning Post's" city editor says: "Mnybe it will be well to make perfectly' clear that while London is certainly not open al pre -ent to all mid sundry. New Zealand is it liorrower who would always be placed rn urwl favourable terms. Her etelit here is excellent. Moreover there could not be borrowing where n market is more desirous of being helpful to meet loans maturing, of which New Zealand lias nearly thirty millions in 1929.