RELIEF OR STANDARD?

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 10, 11 July 1930, Page 8

RELIEF OR STANDARD?

Though the Government subsidy for relief works has been increased, these undertakings are still costing j the Wellington ratepayers a considerable sum. They are being carried out with loan money raised by special order without the consent of the ratepayers. The justification for this is the need for providing aid for the workless. It was argued by the supporters of the motion for award wages that the works were standard, and would have to be done sooner or later; but it cannot be denied that, if the circumstances were normal (that is, if there were no unemployment problems and polls had to be taken for loans), it would be very much later before many of these jobs were put in hand. The usual procedure has been altered with respect to loan-raising. The consent of the ratepayers is not required. While this applies there is justification for a departure from the usual principle governing wages. Men employed upon the ordinary works undertaken with revenue money, or with loan money sanctioned by a poll, are still paid award rates. The City Council has even made an exception and agreed to pay award rates ,pn ohej special relief job; but this, should! not be used as a lever to force all rates up.

There are practical difficulties in the way of award rate payment also. In theory, an A and B classification may solve the problem; but the difficulty lies in the fact that the Council cannot easily adjust its relief works programme to fit the classification. The main purpose in instituting the works is to help the workless. So that this purpose may not be hindered, it is necessary that the Council should be free to put. men on whatever works are available. If the A man had to wait for an A class job and the B man could not be put with A men without becoming entitled to A wages, there would be considerable difficulty in organising the relief. We think this should be recognised, and it should be admitted also by those who are pressing for award wages that Wellington has made a praiseworthy effort to afford relief to as many men as possible. Comparison of, this city's performance with that of other towns does not support a charge of an attempt to depress wages or to have work done cheaply. The ratepayers have submitted without complaint to the increase of city expenditure, though many of them ate feeling the weight of Council rates. If an attempt is made to force the Council to pay more there will not be equal patience, and the effort may rebound on those who make it.