RELIEF WORK PROBLEMS.

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 15, 19 January 1932, Page 6

RELIEF WORK PROBLEMS.

A Relief Worker" complains of the unemployment relief work arrangements in Makara County. "Unlike" the town district, none of the men gets full time, the maximum time being for the three groups respectively, three ana a half days, two and a half days, and one and a half days, and this has been the rule for months past. No one would complain were we getting that time for the three weeks; but in Borne months my time as a fourday'man has only reached a total of nine days. The hardest cut of all has been Administered to us over the holiday season. When reporting for work on the Bth of January several of us found we'were not eligible for work for yet another ■ weekj being told that we were to have our week off to bring the time right again, but by some error a good ninny who should have been off were eligible for work, whilst others who were entitled trwork had to stand down. The men who were fortunate enough to be in the first week's U-ork after the holidays were allocated the full time all6wed, but the rest of us, when we reported for' work on Monday, found that the four-day men were only entitled to two and a half days, three-day men two days, ahd two-day men to one day, after two weeks1 idleness." Tile writer considers a Btriet inquiry should be made into these matters.-

Peaceful" urges that full-time work sliould be given with no week off or hours off to prevent men drifting to the milt-' tant^maßseß. "Complaint'is"'made by Mr. J..'Turner that the Minister who met the unemployed deputations oh Saturday did not give direct answers to the representation made concerning Hospital Board provisions and the treatment of applicants for aid. The writer holds-that the onus is on the Government to take action to prevent tho eviction of workers who are unable to pay their rent.

"I notice iv your report on Saturday's unemployed demonstration that it was stated that single men were being paid

14s 8d per week (wi'ites "Up Against It"). If that is the case in Wellington why is it pot the case in Eastbourne? Single men at Eastbourne are getting one day per week at 9s per. day, and have to stand down every fourth week, which makes earnings 27s per month, and out of this they have to pay Is lOd tax, which leaves 25s 2d a month to pay board and buy necessary clothing. With board at anything from 15s to £1 per week, how is a man to balance things up, and why are we not receding the same amount of work as the single men in the city." . _ h-orokoro" submits the case for the single men, many of whom fought in the war and should now have the opportunity of employment. The writer holds that it is the Government's bounden duty to provide work out of the unemployment funds and that the Government, moreover, when the Unemployment Act was passed, entered into an agreement to pay sustenance if work were not available. The writer also criticises the gardening proposal as unattractive to men who are liable to be evicted for non-payment of rent and thus loße the fruits of their labour. Practically every class of the commu"lty Jf t° be.found on relief works (writes "I. M. Nikdo") from the unemployable—a problem of itself which will nave to be solved—tradesmen and professional men with high • qualifications in tneir chosen work; The majority are selfrespecting men worthy of a much better fate. It is the majority—the better men —and the dependents of such men who suffer most. These men only apply for relief work as a last desperate resource after every avenue has been exhausted. JLhe mere act of going on relief works, at nrst at least, createg mental suffering because ,t ,s a terrible blow to thrown, self-respect. Most of us are leading a' dual existence. On those days on which we are not working, insufficiently fed, we are combing the city and suburbs, hoping we will not need to go back to relief the week following. All the time we are trying to hide the fact that we are on j & j,l'6 reHef ™>rks problem is undoubtedly a question for the whole of Parliament, and. both the Government and Opposition should get together and endeavour to solve it. No self-respecticg country can permit thousands of respectable, honest people to suffer long .periods ot semi-starvation and worae, or become dependent on charity owing to defects in our present economic system. The simple tact is that, large numbers are suffering considerable/hardships—often hidden as muck as possible—through lack of sufficient because they are justly too proud/to appeal to charity. The country should be proud of; such people who are showing such fine fortitude and refuse to allow themjonger; to Buffer the pangs of hUnger The"writer urges;that full-time work should be provided with sufficient wages for food and rent, otherwise men cannot work well. "Charitable aid boards and institutions should be absolutely dispensed with. To forcd self-reßpecting men and women to accept charity will, in time, if .present economic, conditions continue, absolutely; undermine our country's morale and make ub a nation of spongers. ... One of the prime causes of the present economic depression is the lack of money in circulation, due to the lack' of confidence. -Increased payments to relief Workers,,.will = mean; not only, greater efficiency on relief worker and more work, but; more money will be forcied into circulation ; and ;8o prove a national benefit tor ( aU classes." .A brighter and more hopetut spirit Land increased -confidenfee—so vitally ■uneceßsary. at the - present time— Will be created, and so tend to decrease unemployment. Primary producers, the farmers, will benefit-most of all because most.of the increased wages will be spent on foodstuffs. Increased wages would not necessarily keep men longer than necessary on relief works; for the majority would: be only too glad to1 get back to their rtgular lines of employment.'' ; . ':. ,<