RELIEF PAY

Evening Star, Issue 22274, 27 February 1936, Page 7

RELIEF PAY

TOWN AND COUNTRY RATES TO BE EQUAL SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES PROMISED [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 26. The rates of pay to relief workers and those on sustenance in country districts are to be increased to bring them into line with the amounts paid in the centres. The Minister of Employment (Hon. H. T. Armstrong) said to-night that this decision would involve an increased expenditure of something over £30,000 a week from the Unemployment Fund. “However,” the Minister added, “ there seems to lie no good or sufficient reason why the lower rate should be paid to men in the smaller towns and rural districts. ! would prefer a levelling up instead of a levelling down policy. Our real object is to get everybody working at the standard rate of pay', “ As regards those people who cannot Ik> provided with work in the near future, the Government is now considering the advisability and the possibility of substantially increasing the relief rates of pay. I hope to be in the position to make an important announcement on that point within the nest fortnight.”