Abuse of Sustenance

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 254, 23 July 1936, Page 11

Abuse of Sustenance

Sir, —Permit we to congratulate “An Old Grafter," in exposing this humbug known as relief. The Minister of Employment has admitted that there are thousands of false claims, but why have we not had thousands of prosecutions? My own observations are that numerous men are (to use Mr. Semple’s phrase) "scrounging” on society for relief and sustenance ! We have thousands of elderly people who have a modest income of about 317per week, who have to subscribe to a fund which is exploited by some men who loaf around in idleness —and other* who work five or even six days per week, and send then wives :■> ini-ve- the r<ui on pay days at the Post Office. It has come to my knowledge that seasonal workers who are engaged eleven months of the year at trom £4 to £5 per week, have taken a holiday on full relief rates ai the expense of the unfortunate taxpayers of moderate incomes. In fact, it is known that many seasonal workers are having a holiday in the cities, and can complv with the regulations by driving their cars out to country post offices, drawing their ill-gotten sustenance and returning again the same day to the city —truly, an unjust and disgraceful state of affairs. Much more could’ be written in protest, but I will conclude with a tion that in future all men drawing relief or sustenance shall have their names and addresses listed, typed, and displayed in a conspicuous place at the post office where they d>aw their payments—l am, CHECK IMPOSTORS. Greytown, July 21. Sir, —The penalty for abuse of sustenance by supplying wrongful information is a substantial fine or imprisonment. Every man that “An Old Grafter” saw in the post office knows this. —I am, etc., SUSTENANCE. Masterton, July 21.