SUSTENANCE PAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 131, 30 November 1936, Page 10

SUSTENANCE PAY

INCREASED RATES

6'- FOR MARRIED MEN

HINT TO ABLE-BODIED

EXPECTED TO ACCEPT WORK

The Minister of Labour flhe Hon. H. T. Armstrong) revealed today that the recently approved increases in sustenance jatcs were 3s per week j for single men and 6s per week for [ married men. The increase will operate from today. "The Government," said Mr. Armstrong, "is exploiting, and will continue to exploit, every possible avenue likely to afford full-time work at standard rates. The Public Works Department has embarked upon an extensive programme of work and has •thus been instrumental in absorbing a large number of men beyond its normal requirements. Special inducements have been offered to local bodies to encourage the accelerated commencement of large undertakings on a fulltime basis, while the striking success of the placement scheme in placing over 15,000 men in private employment ior varying terms shows that the Government has left no stone unturned in its efforts to secure the rehabilitation of those unfortunately unemployed. A recent Government caucus considered ways and means of promoting still further employment and this work will be continued-by a Cabinet. Committee specially appointed for that purpose. **• "It is fitting to state here that the Government expects and requires that every able-bodied man who is offered work at standard rates and under reasonable conditions shall accept that offer, failing which he will be regarded as voluntarily unemployed and therefore undeserving of Government assistance in any shape or form. CHRISTMAS BONUS. "A Christmas bonus of £1 for women and single men and/ £2 for married men will this year be granted to those who actually qualify for and receive relief in respect>of the week ending December 5 next. The bonus will be available to men on sustenance or employed on a rationed basis under scheme' 5; to gold prospectors including those employed on developmental work (other than those in full-time work at standard rates of pay). The bonus will also be paid to those working on their own property under scheme 4a, to sustenance recipients under the small farm plan, and to eligible intermittent workers. ■ "It will be observed that the bonus is less than paid last year, but it is considered that no exception can be taken to this in view of the substantial improvements earlier effected in relief rates generally. ' TWO WEEKS' HOLIDAY. "Two weeks' paid holiday will be granted in respect of weeks ending December 26 and January 2 to those of the following classes who would normally be entitled to relief during these weeks: — "(a) Men in receipt of sustenance or employed on a rationed basis under Scheme 5. "(b) Gold prospectors employed under Scheme 15, including those on development work, but excluding those employed for 40 hours or more per week aKstandard rates of pay. "Where men are employed by local authorities for full time at standard rates of pay the usual subsidy from the Employment Promotion Fund will be provided in respect of the abovementioned two weeks, provided, however, that the local authority grants the holiday and pays its proportion of the usual wages. Where Scheme 5 relief wages are supplemented by the local authority to at least the nearest half-day above the weekly allocation, the usual subsidy will be provided during the holiday period, irrespective of whether the local authority is prepared to supplement the pay of the men con- j cerned. "It is with deep regret that I must refer to the fact that a considerable number of cases of wilful misrepresentation with a view to securing relief benefits still occur. In view of this practice, I am left with no alternative but to direct that drastic action is to be taken against such men who are sufficiently unprincipled *o secure under false, pretences relit' oenefits which are provided by the community for the benefit of those who are unfortunate enough to be unemployed and unable to make normal provision for their wives and children."