POINTS FROM LETTERS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 81, 7 April 1931, Page 8

POINTS FROM LETTERS

SINGLE MEN'S EARNINGS. "Common Sense" writest "Mr. Forbes assures us that the cost of living is coming down, and then politely presents an anomaly by reduced salaries and increases in the postage rates and railage. Private firms are advised to follow the lead of the Government by reducing salaries 10 per cent., but if private firms are to follow such a lead they will likewise look for ways and means to increase profits. Thus, summing up the position, the Government has presented a formula_ for increasing the cost of living." Referring to the Unemployment Board, the writer considers that its "lack, of imagination is now_ becoming noticeable. The latest innovation is the rationing of two days' work at 9s a day for single men and 12s 6d a day for married men. Why the 35 per cent, cut in the case of single men? Is it not a fact that many single men are in a worse .position, financially, then the married men without children? It is well known that many of these men's wfVes are working, thus their incomes average £5 or £6 a week, whereas many single men have aged parents to support, a fact which is completely overlooked and ignored by the Unemployment Board. Many men are compelled to travel long distances to these relief works at a cost of Is a day. Thus single men will net the handsome sum of 16s a week on which to live or starve. The unproductive nature of the work undertaken calls for some comment. In a case in point ten men were engaged «or some days slashing gorse from pi'operty involving an expenditure of hundreds of pounds. No grubbing work was done, therefore in six months the position will be 'as you were' —a sheer waste of money. Surely there is some • productive work that can be undertaken where the services of the unemployed could be turned to good account. If these men could be made to produce does it not naturally follow that the burden on the board's finances will be considerably lessened? ' Before concluding, Sir, might I suggest as a means of raising capital for unemployed relief a 5s lottery to be run every six weeks." PAY ON RELIEF WORKS. In answer to a letter by "A Mere Woman," "A Relief Worker's Wife" .writes: "Is 'A Mere Woman's' husband quite willing to take the first job that is offered him whether,it is for 2s an hour or 9d? Is he satisfied to have his children going about lyjlf starved and half dressed because the Government, said so, and can she give one instance where the Labour Party did not do its best for the worker? I am a mother of five, and I went to the Labour Party twice, and I was given assistance to the best of its ability? Would the present Government do it? No." Mr.': IT. M. .Tones, Mayor of Kastbourno, returned by the Maranui from axbiisiness visit to Australia. It's wonderful what you can get for a shilling at Kirkcaldie and Stains's shilling counter —such useful things.— Advt. ' I