RELIEF WORKERS’ CHRISTMAS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 307, 24 November 1934, Page 10

RELIEF WORKERS’ CHRISTMAS.

HOLIDAY AND BONUS TO BE GRANTED.

WELLINGTON, Nov. 23.

Because there are fewer registered unemployed now than since 1932, the Unemployment Board has more money at its disposal, and has decided to pay relief workers ' a Christmas bonus in addition to granting them a fortnight’s holiday with pay. Revision of the whole scale of payments is being considered. •

Although the unemployment tax has been reduced from Is to lOd in the £, it is estimated that the revenue of the board will be larger this year than it was last year, because of the improvement in economic conditions and to the activities of the wage-tax inspectors, who have been rounding up defaulters. The directions in which the allocations are at present being overhauled include better provision for men in the secondary towns and country, districts, and it is understood that certain improvement will also be made in the city allocations, more especially to men with large families. At present the city scale of relief for men employed under the No. 5 scheme ranges from 22s 6d to 36s a week for married men, while the pavment for single men is 13s 6d a week. No change has been made since the rates were reduced by 10 per cent, about two years ago. In country centres and secondary towns a lower scale has been provided.