DESTITUTE MAN

Grey River Argus, 11 June 1935, Page 7

DESTITUTE MAN

RELIEF PAY INADEQUATE.

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND.

Exception to a statement made by the Minirtefr of Employment (Mr. Smith) concerning a destitute relief worker, who was charged at the Police Court, last week, with theftj is taken by the man concerned and by the soe ial workers interested in his case.

The man denies the Minister’ll statements that he was employed in Public Works camps for six months earning £3 weekly. The man says that the highest pay he received for a fortnight was £5 12& In October, he earned £6 10s for a month. He further denies that he received a Christmas bonus t or that he was placed on sustenance at his own request. He says he had never been offered work in a Public. Works camp at £3 weekly, and ho is not receiving free milk, although he has been notified that his application had been approved and :that he is to apply again next Thursday.

As to the Minister’s that the man could get footwear repaired at the boot depot for the cort of material only, the man said he had no money to pay for material. Rev. G. E. Moreton said he considered the Minister’s statement a reflection upon the police and the Justice Department. What the police stated in Court was absolutely true. The Minister’s statement was incorrect and his Department should be more careful before issuing it. The statement showed no appreciation of the humane consideration given the case by the Magistrate and the police. “How on earth.”, concluded Mr. Moreton, “can anyone expect a man to live on 29s a week, when he has to pay 14s for rent and keep four persons?” He added that as the result of the sympathy aroused by the publicity given .the man’s case, he had been found permanent employment.