RELIEF WAGES

Evening Star, Issue 20688, 10 January 1931, Page 16

RELIEF WAGES

HOT THE BOARD'S FUNCTION [P£R United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, January 10. Resolutions are being passed by different organisations throughout the dominion criticising the Unemployment Board in regard to the rates of wages on reli f works. They are so similar m character that it would appear that they are being adopted as the result of an organised effort. The Chairman of the Unemployment Board (Mr Smith) said: “The board itself is not an employer of labour, and is not carrying out any relief works. Relief works are carried out by the Government and local bodies under temporary emergency measures, in which the boa; I is granting subsidies on wages. The rate of wages to be paid is fixed between employer and employee on whatever rate __ may be arranged, but under the No. 2 scheme, the board is granting subsidies on a pound for pound basis only up to 7s a day. It is not a function of the Unemployment Board to interfere with the rates of wages being paid by employers. The rate of pay paid by the Government on relief works is a policy matter for. the Government, in regard to which the board cannot interfere.”