SHORTENED HOURS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 90, 13 October 1931, Page 10

SHORTENED HOURS

RELIEF WORKERS

FUNDS INSUFFICIENT

MEN MAKE A PROTEST

jfor this week, the Wellington Citizens' Unemployment Committee decided to-day, all relief workers' time is to be shortened by two houra per man. A report submitted to the committee stated that there were 1352 singlo men, 14G3 men with wives and up to two dependants, and 300 men with wives and three or more children who had been authorised for employment this week. There were still 339, 250, and 28 respectively in each classification unplaced. If the maximum amount allowed each classification by the board were given and worked, £4800 would bo absorbed. This week the committee had an allocation of £4300. Unless shortened hours were worked, it would mean that 130 single men, 150 men with wives and up to two dependants, and 25 men with wives and three or more children would require to stand down, in addition to the 1100 men normally standing down for their fourth week. Considerable difficulty would bo experienced in the selection of the men to be dismissed, and distress would follow. In order, to provide employment for these men, it had been necessary to authorise the whole of each classification as follows: —Single men, 1 day 6 hours; men with wives and up to two children, 2 days 6 hours; men with wives and three or more children, 3 days 6 hours. It was reported that a deputation representing relief workers was desirous of placing its views before the committee in connection with the reduced hours. In a discussion before the deputation was received, some members of the committee stated that any method which would provide full time for the workers would be gladly, received. Bfigadior Gray remarked that the committee was dominated by other factions. Mr. P. M. Butler: "What does he mean by 'other factions'?" The chairman (Mr. J. I. Goldsmith): "We won't dwell on that." Mr. Butler: "It is not fair to other members of the committee." Brigadier Gray: ""We seem to be blocked all the time." Mr. Goldsmith: "The people get no satisfaction from the Government, and they are under the impression that we are a kind of a buffer between the Government and the workers. As a matter of fact we are." WORKERS' VIEWS. The views of the workers were placed before the committee by Messrs. C. Grayndler, F. 11. C. Smith, and S. Tasker. Mr. Giayndler said that the workers were under the belief that they were not getting what they were entitled to according to the regulations. Single men, he claimed, were entitled to two ,days' work, and below that the Unemployment Board could not go. As it was, the amount was a miserable allowance. Ho also criticised the spending of money in the advertising of secondary industries. The chairimvn: "That is Dot really our business." Mr. Grayndler also criticised "standard" works that were being- done around the city, and mentioned Glenmore street and the Winter Show. Mr. M. S. Galloway rose to a point of order. He said Mr. Grayndler was introducing extraneous matter. Mr. Grayndler said there was a feeling growing against the men who were administering the -unemployment funds, and he claimed that the committee had no authority to shorten the hours. Mr. Smith said that the cutting down of the hours would be a hardship. As it was, rent in Wellington was a serious proposition. "It is coming to this," said Mr. Tasker. "Belief workers are beginning to take notice, and you will have abuse on you, and chiefly on the clerks | in the office." There was a feeling that money had been diverted to the formation of camps. Replying, Mr. Goldsmith said that unfortunately the committee was the buffer between the Government and the workers. He read the report (published above), and he claimed that the committee had the requisite authority. The committee, he pointed' out, desired to help the men, and he said it would again approach the Government. He pointed out that there were 51,000 unemployed, and the Government was only receiving £50,000 pel' week from the levy. After the deputation had withdrawn, tlie chairman said it was impossible for full time to be worked this week, and it was necessary to reduce the time by two hours. He moved accordingly. Mr. M. S. Galloway seconded the motion. Mr. Butler suggested that the facts should be placed before the full N committee, and a meeting to that v . end should be called. He would not vote for the motion. The resolution was carried. OTHER BUSINESS. Mr. Goldsmith reported that the tram concession tickets for relief workers should be available to-morrow or Thursday. ; The. question of organisations such as the "Unemployed Workers' Movement" and the Communist organisation asking relief workers to join up on payment of 6d per week was raised by the chairman, who said,that these bodies were soliciting subscriptions while at the same time the workers were unable to pay their levy. If those organisations were asking the men to pay, then it was up to those organisations to pay the men's levy. He said he had arranged for the payment of about 3000 levies. Mr. Butler took exception to the matter being discussed, and claimed, that the men had a right to organise. The subscription, he said, was 6d a month. The General Labourers' Union had helped the men to organise, but had received nothing. "You are overstepping your authority in bringing this matter up," he said. Mr. Goldsmith: "I brought it up because a lot of these men-come and ask me whether they should belong to these organisations, and I say 'No.' " It was reported that two acres had been made available by the City Council at Berhamporo for the growing of vegetables, and that a firm had.given seed free. It was proposed to give the vegetables to deserving families. The committee agreed to the City Council making up the two hours'work for men engaged on tram track work in Glenmore street. The chairman suggested that, in the event of a General Election, as many of the unemployed as possible should be given jobs in the polling booths.