UNEMPLOYMENT BONUS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 11, 11 December 1935, Page 10

UNEMPLOYMENT BONUS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Much surprise has been caused among the unemployed by the statement of the Minister of Employment (Hon. H. T. Armstrong) in reference to the Christmas bonus. In last night’s issue of the “Standard” it is' stated that there wTil be two payments—the first prior to Christmas and the second which, I note, is the largest, on January 2 or as soon thereafter as possible. Is this the wonderful “luxuries of Christmas” referred to by Mr Savage? The small payment is for Christmas and the biggest payment when the holidays are over. This decision seems to have been arrived at as the result of certain people suggesting that the men would waste the money. In my case, sir, I can present a rent book paid to date in spite of nearly 12 months’ unemployment. I have denied myself many of the luxuries of life, and when Mr Savage made his glowing promise with the £IOO,OOO heading I said to the wife and bairns that we would take a tent by the seaside for a fortnight. I know of others who intended to do the same. Now the hopes are dashed and we will content ourselves with the other unfortunates pacing the Square, simply because a few waste their money. The workers trusted the Labour leaders. Cannot the Labour leaders trust the workers? I consider that the puny excuse offered by the Minister is an insult to the- intelligence of any decent New Zealander. Possibly our Mayor (the best friend the unemployed have) will take the matter up with Mr J. Hodgens, M.P., and see what can be done.—l am, etc., EQUILIBRIUM.