SATURDAY AFTERNOON RELIEF WORK.

Evening Star, Issue 21099, 11 May 1932, Page 14

SATURDAY AFTERNOON RELIEF WORK.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Would you kindly allow me space in your paper to air a grievance which I am sure could have been avoided without any undue brainwork on the part of tho administrators of the No. 5 scheme? What with the gradual but ruthless cutting of tho relief workers’ pittance and tho bombshell dropped into our midst by the Minister in Charge of Unemployment, in his scheme for the abolition of the stand-down week, it is not surprising to find discontent growing every dayin even the most loyal groups. On top of that comes tho local announcement published to the effect that certain four-day groups are to work on Saturday- afternoons, it will be readily seen that such an arrangement deprives tho already -exploited relief worker of tho keen enjoyment of a Saturday afternoon’s sport. The wellknown axiom “ All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy ” is very true, and in this case it makes him a discontented one also. 1 noticed that all groups detailed for work on that day are working for farmers and not ter D.C.C. departments, the reason for which seems obvious. Is there no limit to tho exploitation of relief workers? If not, surely every sane person can see that everything comes to an end, and the breaking point, if not already reached, cannot be far away. _ So why this unnecessary pin prick which, with a little forethought, could have been avoided? I sincerely _ trust that the present arrangement is purely a temporary one, and that an explanation will be forthcoming from those in charge of tho local arrangements.—l am, etc., „ „ _ Frank R. G. Clarke. May 10.