WORKLESS RELIEF

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 104, 27 January 1931, Page 6

WORKLESS RELIEF

End of No. 2 Scheme

PALMERSTON’S PROTEST

Palmerston North. January 26. Concern that the Unemployment Board s No. 2 subsidy scheme is to cease in the near future was expressed at a meeting of the Palmerston North Unemployment ' Committee this morning, when it was de-cided-to telegraph a strong protest to the Unemployment Board. “What are we to do between February 1 and 21, when sustenance will be made available” said Mr. A. E. Mansford, when the labour officer, Mr. Lowden, reported that the board’s-No. 2 scheme would cease on January 31. Mr. Lowden: The funds of the committee will have dwindled to £2B. We will have to make a further application. It-was decided to apply for a further £lOO from the board. In reply to a query by Mr. Hodgens as to whether the number ot unemployed in Palmerston North would exceed 300, Mr. Lowden replied that the position was such, c- Mr. Mandeho, the unemployed’s representative on the committee, contended that the No. 2 scheme had been abused by farmers. Men in regular work, he said, had been put off, and asked to register. Having done so they were taken on again, with their wages subsidised.- He moved that the labour bureau should select all men placed ou subsidised works. The chairman, Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., and the Mayor, Mr. A. J. Graham, agreed, that the scheme had not been abused in such a way. . ' Mr. Lowden: Can any specific case be quoted ? f Mr.'Manderio said that cases had been reported in the Press, and on being informed that these were in Taranaki, his motions lapsed through lack of a seconder. "I wish to register a strong protest at the action of the Unemployment Board,” said Mr. Mandeno, when consideration was being given to the advice that the scheme was being cut out. “They seem to be playing a waiting game. Many men have been out of work for a Ipng time, Jind a few days here and there had been useless. The board is smart In collecting its 7/6, but is not so quick in paying out.” The question was discussed at length, when it was finally agreed to point out to the board that as large numbers of men were oSt of work, and it was impossible for them to carry on, it was imperative that the payment of the subsidies under the No. 2 scheme be continued until the date when sustenance was available.. WANGANUI .MEETING Wanganui, January 26. The Wanganui unemployment committee, has received advice from the Unemployment Board that after January 31 no further applications will be received for a subsidy under the No. 2 scheme. The work authorised up to and including that time may be completed. About one hundred unemployed men held a meeting in Cook’s Gardens this morning, when they were addressed by Mr. R. Marumaru, who brought forward th following proposals:— (1) That a classification of. social, physical and financial status of unemployed be made; (2) that an organisation of unemployed be formed; (3) that the rotary system of engaging men on the waterfront and certain trades be inaugurated. A committee of six was formed to give consideration to the proposals. , H '