Abuses of Sustenance

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 256, 25 July 1936, Page 11

Abuses of Sustenance

Sir, —Kindly grant me a small space to protest against “An Old Grafter,” who is complaining about strapping loafers. There are hundreds of these young sustenance men who got married at the beginning of the depression and have spent more than half of their time on relief and sustenance through no fault of their own. These so-called strapping loafers, with their brave wives, have come through this depression with colours flying, and nobody will know what they went through; not even "An Old Grafter.” As for myself, I am only too glad to pay Bd. in the £1 to help those less fortunate. — I am etc., ONE WHO KNOWS. Palmerston North, July 23. Sir,—“An Old Grafter” deserves commendation for drawing the attention of the Government to the undemocratic system of parading men in queues at post office counters in order that they may draw a subsidy from the State on their insufficient earnings. These men are subjected to a weekly means test at the local Labour Bureaux, and any of them refusing to accept work are immediately struck off by the placement officer. Wealthy farmers who receive the 25 per cent, exchange subsidy at the expense of every man, woman and child in the Dominion, are not subjected to a means test, nor are their 25 per cent, subsidies struck off if they refuse to work. These wealthy subsidy recipients are not required to queue up at post offices for a careful inspection by ‘‘An Old Grafter" and others of his ilk, but they can tour the world and still draw their 25 per cent, exchange subsidy when, where and how they please. “An Old Grafter,” as he chooses to call himself, is obviously an old propagandist with an axe to grind, blit he will deceive very few. “An Old Grafter” hopes the Ministers of the Crown will read his letter and, like him, I hope this will come under their notice. —I am, etc., NO BIASMasterton, July 2L