RELIEF WORKERS’ CHRISTMAS

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 8 December 1932, Page 4

RELIEF WORKERS’ CHRISTMAS

HOLIDAY AEBANGBMENTS STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE (By Telegraph—Press Association). WELLINGTON, Dee. 7. Replying to the Leader of the Opposition, who asked whether men in relief camps under the supervision of the Public; Works Department would receive payment during the Christmas period, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates in the House of Representatives to-day said the mem in the. Public Works Department’s single men’s camps would -be granted va fortnight’s holiday on pay, and the Unemployment Board had agreed to- pay half the cost of return fares- to their home town or to .the town from which they were engaged, whichever was the nearer. These.men would receive holiday pay of IQs a week and keep without being required to work. •

Relief workers under the- department who worked full time, either at the rate of IQs a day or on co-operative contract rates based on that wage, were not being granted any holidays on pay, but as in previous- veark they would have the option of taking the usual vacation without- pay or remain-, ing at- work. Workmen employed by the department -under the No. 5 scheme were to be granted' a fortnight’s holiday on pay on the same conditions, as Inen employed by the local bodies under this scheme. The. ordinary standard worker employed by the department would receive the usual treatment —payment for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day if lie had over two months and less than two years’ continuous service. If he had over two years’ service he would receive payment for these three statutory holidays; and in . addition twelve days’ annual leave. , Replying to a further question, by Mr Holland, the Hon. A. Hamilton said the Unemployment Board had arranged to pay half the return fares to the home towns or to the towns from which they recruited in the cases | of men employed in relief camps.