UNEMPLOYMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 256, 28 September 1932, Page 2

UNEMPLOYMENT.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Can anyone of your numerous readers tell me what is to be the end of this unemployment question? As everyone knows, the Unemployment Board has demanded longer hours for practically the same money. Local bodies right throughout the country are forced to take on hundreds and thousands of men on relief works. The No. 5 scheme lias been ill operation for nearly two years and the local bodies are at their wits’ end to provide work for the men. Then the board comes to light with a demand for longer hours. Can anyone tell mo what the board hopes to gain by such an attitude? Take, lor instance, the man who is entitled to five days a week. What chance lias he of getting any other work to supplement his income? Is the board out to drive the married man into camp as well as the single man? To my mind it was a sorry day for New Zealand when the Government adopted the policy of no work, no pay. Anybody with a grain of commonsense will agree with me when I say that had the Government carried out the Unemployment Act as originally intended there would not be half the idle men to-day. It has come to my notice that No. 5 labour is being used at Massey College to build a glasshouse. Surely this college, which receives a grant from the Government, could build by contract. Also, it would be interesting to know how many men were “sacked” when the No. 10 scheme started and were re-engaged again the same day through the Labour Office. It has been pointed out that the Labour Department has a perfect right to go into a man’s household accounts, and private affairs before granting him relief work. Also, if a man has a car or a wireless set and anyone lays a complaint before the Labour Department, it is not long before the representative is making strict enquiries. If the No. 5 worker has to submit to this sort of thing, why do the same conditions not apply to farmers before being granted any labour under the 4a scheme? I say that if the average farmer were to do more work on the farm, and spent less money on benzine and tyres,'lie would be able to employ labour without going to the Labour Office. In conclusion, I would like to know how many men. comprise tlie Unemployment Board, and what salary each man receives. Also, whether these schemes are placed before Parliament for their approval before being put into operation. —I am, etc., 1 WEEK OFF.