RELIEF FUNDS ALLOCATION

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 31 January 1933, Page 7

RELIEF FUNDS ALLOCATION

MAYOR, OF ELTHAM’S PROTEST. BOARD ADMITS AN ERROR. Alleging that four and three day men were receiving 25 per cent, less than the amount paid to similar workers at Stratford, the Mayor of Eltham (Mr. I. J. Bridger) wrote recently to the chairman of the Unemployment Board protesting that Elfcham relief workers were not being treated on the same basis as men in other towns. A reply was received from the chairman of the board yesterday morning admitting tlie justice of Mr Bridger’s allegations, but intimating that it is tlie Government’s intention to decrease the Stratford allowance, instead of increasing the Eltham one. The letter reads: “In reply to your telegram of the 23rd instant with reference to the position of the Eltham Scheme. 5 allocation as compared with that of a neighbouring centre, I desire to say that an looking closely into the position of the allocation to places in the Taranaki district. I find that so far as the Stratford grant is concerned your complaint was fully justified, and that the Imparity in the sums recently allocatacl was due to an unfortunate transposition of figures at this office when :he allocations were computed. The board’s instructions regarding the computation of allocations are quite explicit, and I very much regret that the neglect to observe these instructions resulted in the unfortunate error af granting Stratford, in the past few weeks, an allocation in excess of that which was given to other centres in ;he Taranaki district.

“Needless to say I also regret the embarrassing position in which your committee has been placed in regard to the matter —thank you for bringing the matter to my notice. An ad.ustment has since been made in the Stratford allocation, and the matter aas been suitably taken up with the hficers at fault, and I trust that you will have no further occasion to complain regarding the amount of the allocations to neighbouring centres. “Eitham, 1 may add, is at present m receipt of the maximum allocation that ciie board’s funds will allow, and I can assure you that this is in line with -he allocations granted to all other country centres in the Taranaki disCommenting on the board’s reply, Mr. Bridger said that although it was unfortunate that the Stratford allocation had been reduced, it was obvious that such inequalities »lead to illfeeiing.

DEPUTATION TO MR WILKINSON. PROMISE. OF ASSISTANCE. Approximately 50 registered unemployed waited upon Mr C. A. M llkmson M.P., in deputation at Eitham last evening. Mr T. E. Tra.sk was voted to the chair. s . , The Mavor (Mr I. J. Bridger) introduced the deputation and stated that it desired to have Mr Wilkinson s assistance towards an increased allocation. All would recognise, he said, that the allocations were very low, but he had been assured by the /board that it is, allocating the maximum amount the board’s funds would allow. The men were finding it extremely difficult to maintain themselves and thpir families in food on the small amounts received. Mr Bridger .stated that the four day men had received for the past month £4 16s, and the three day men £3 ps 4d, out of which rent had to to he paid. Tliere was very little extra work available in the district. The speakers' representing the unemploved were Mr.s Mars den, Messrs Cousins. McKain and Davy, who stressed the need for. an increased allocation, stating that it was impossible to live respectably on the amount received as relief pay. Each speaker expressed appreciation of the work of the Mayor in endeavouring to secure an extra allocation to the men, but. they asked that the member should interview the board when in Wellington and place their position before the members. , . , , Mr Wilkinson said that Ins' deepest symiPathv was with those on relief work and pay. This was the first time that his assistance had been asked. T-Te paid a. tribute to the work of the Mavor and the Unemployed Committee in their sympathetic administration of the unemployment schemes in Eitham, and assured the deputation that lie would do all in his power to •g.et -an increased allocation for the district. I-Ie had voted for the original Bill, which provided for sustenance instead of work, and he was satisfied that the .hoard would have to come back. to the original intention and application, of the"’ Act, He asked the deputation not to be disappointed if he could not get an increased allocation, as it might he necessary to deal with the matter on the floor of the House. After a number of questions were ■mtisf'actorilv answered, a vote of thanks was- accorded Mr Wilkinson, the Mayor and the chairman.