RELIEF MEASURES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 175, 9 July 1932, Page 8

RELIEF MEASURES

THE HASTINGS ALLOCATION MR JESSEP S EXPLANATIONS ASSURANCES TO THE MEN Unemployment relief measures insofar as they affect the Hastings district and various other matters concerning unemployment were comprehensively dealt with last evening by the deputychairman of the Unemployment Board (Mr J. S. Jessep) in conference with members of the Hastings Unemployment Committee and representatives of the Registered Unemployed Relief Workers’ Association, who, with the Mayor (Mr G. F. Roach), had been to Wellington as a deputation to the act-ing-Ministcr of Employment (the Hon. A. Hamilton). The meeting was presided over by the Mayor. Mr Wood, Labour inspector, was also present.

Mr Jessep briefly explained the purposes for which the Unemployed Fund was raised —primarily for the relief of distress caused by unemployment—stating that the work upon which the funds were expended should bo reproductive and of such a nature as would maintain the stamina and character of the men. He stated that Napier and Hastings, on account of the earthquake losses, had always been placed on a better basis in respect of allocations. In reply to questions regarding allocations, Mr Jessep assured the men's representatives that tlio allocations were ndt made on a haphazard manner and that they could rest assured that their future allocations would not come down on their registration. He also stated that the board was going to endeavour to organise for more work in the country, where the men had a better chance of getting more of the necessaries of life.

The men’s representatives raised tne question of subsidy on the meat their association was purchasing and reselling at a low price, and Mr Jessep promised to arrange for supplies to be available up to September at a low price, from the stocks of mutton held by the board in the local freezing works. Many other questions were asked and satisfactory explanations given.