FARMERS AND RELIEF

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 70, 24 March 1931, Page 11

FARMERS AND RELIEF

MINISTER EXPLAINS

WAGE EARNERS FIRST

■ "Tlie'rc. appears to ' be .some misconception with regard: to the Unemployment. Board's- responsibilities toward farmers who have -been" adversely affected by the 'slump in. the prices'of primary products," 'States, the chairman of the board (the' Hon. S. G. -.Sniith). "At a meeting of the. Auckland Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union the statements were made that 'although many farmers were in. desperate.' need' they were not allowed to obtain./ employment .under. the 'Unemployment Board's relief schemes'; and 'it was a great injustice: that. farmers who paid the unemployment levy.were not able to benefit.' Similarly, it was asserted at a' meeting of the Manukaii County Council • that, 'the' Unemployment Board seems to be . encouraging farmers to walk off the land.' . At the same time, I know for a fact that there are men in the, city registered as unemployed .and receiving assistance . who ha.ye considerable property, and are receiving rents. In . other cases .men being' given employment ' havo 'large banking accounts." ■....- "The board has the utmost sympathy with farmers in the position outlined above, and realises that the problem of relieving distress art such, cases, is . a very serious one," said the Minister, "but it has to-be remembered, that .its primary function, according to-the Act, is to endeavour to. provide employment for the unemployed wage-earner., _, .If a 111 an owns or,■"has :an interest in a farm but. regularly works.: for wages throughout the year, ho is eligible for relief works; but-a : man who lives and works on his farm cannot be regarded as unemployed—however /serious his financial position may be, he has. a home, and the farm-will surely- provide j a certain-amount of food. Such farmers arc outside the scope, of the Unemployment Act, and it is; suggested-that if payment of any instalment of the levy would impose a hardship upon them they apply to the board for exemption from payment. ,' - ,;. ' . "With regard to the allegation that the relief schemes are being abused, any person having such-knowledge should report the facts to the board or the nearest Local Unemployment Committee. A - circular to Local Unemployment Committees covered this point in the following terms:''lf a committee has knowledge that a person vhas pri'va'to resources sufficient, to support him, he should not be given work. In doubtful cases, where .'actual information cannot be obtained, it is suggested that a man be required to make a statutory as to his■,means.' It, will :thercfore be seen," concluded the Minister, "that however reluctant, the board is to refuse help, there is no injustice'in excluding farmers ,from the relief schemes,: and that the board is taking all reasonable precautions to ensure that ineligible men shall, not be given employment."