SHANNON UNEMPLOYED SEEK FURTHER RELIEF

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7066, 27 January 1933, Page 8

SHANNON UNEMPLOYED SEEK FURTHER RELIEF

Urge Sustenance When No Work at Hand Tho Shannon relief workers recently invited the members of tho Borough Council and local business peoplo to meet them with a view to discussing methods of improving tho position and, as a result, a meeting was held on Monday last, there being a good attendance. The Mayor (Mr. E. Butt) occupied the chair and explained at tho outset that tho meeting had been called to enter a protest to thoso at the head of affairs in Wellington, regarding the reduction in the allocation of the money for relief workers in Shannon. Mr. Hemingsen, president of tho Relief Workers’ Association, referred to tho minutes of a previous meeting wherein attention was drawn to tho small wages for relief workers, the resultant affect on the trade of tho town, tho request for a reinstatement of the previous rates of pay, an appeal for support to landlords and a protest against the maladministration of the Government, which, it had been alleged, was the direct cause of the present disastrous state of affairs in which tradespeople and workers alike found themselves.

Mr. Hemingsen asked thoso present to back the relief workers up so that the position could be improved. The resolutions he had read had been passed at a meeting in November last, since when tho allocations have been still further reduced, and it was impossible for the rclier worker to pay his way. Ho went on to compare the rates of pay in Shannon with thoso in Palmerston North, the comparison as follows: —

Man with two children: Shannon, 25s per week for three weeks. Palmerston North, 26s 3d per week for four weeks.

This was a definito case against tne Unemployment Board of discrimination between tho country workers and the town workers. The relief workers asked the business people to back them up in their effort to get an increased allocation so that they could pay their rent and meet their bills. The' men were prepared to work, but they were not prepared to be slaves. The speaker, concluding, asked Mr. Gregan, the president of the Manawatu Relief Workers’ Association, to address the meeting. Mr. tiregan stated that with the bungling in this country we wore not getting anywhere; neither tho worKei nor the business people. If we have a vast army of men throughout the country earning a mere pittance, then the business people were going to suffer. How many men could pay rent and obtain tho ordinary decencies of life at 30s a week? and the men here were getting only 25s per week. If sustenance were paid under the Act we would have only half the number of unemployed in this country. Hon. Mr. Hamilton admitted at a conference that the funds were sufficient to pay sustenance. The money of the relief workers largely increased the business of the business people and in their own interest the business people should back up the relief workers in their demand for just treatment.

Mr. Pell next drew attention to the progressive reduction in relief pay since the unemployment schemes started. At first, he said, workers were paid 14s per day for tho allotted number of days per week. The Unemployment Board had then cut this rate to 12s 6d per day for married men and 2s for single men with a stand down week. In September last three-day men had been compelled to work 35 days a week for 37s 6d and single men for 7s 6d. These reductions seemed to havo been brought about by allocations doing cut down and had been continuous until that day the rates were, threeday men 25s per week with an off week. In Palmerston North, he said, three-day men got £5 5s per month as against £3 15s in Shannon without rations. Another point was that when children reached the age of 10 a man with three children was automatically classed as having two children, yet no provision was made for employing the boys and girls at 16, and if they did earn a few shillings they had to pay tax on their earnings. Dealing with employment for women, Hon. Hamilton had stated that women were provided for, but definite cases could be stated that were not so. In Wellington they applied the means test. If a man got a day’s work his pay was docked accordingly. One man had let a room for 33 per week and his pay had been reduced by that amount. Administration of unemployment funds had cost £50,000 last year and members of the board were receiving up to £8 per week. They had heard of equality of sacrifice but the sacrifice was being made by the workers only. A large amount of money was used to subsidise industries, ho went on to explain. The flaxmills were subsidised 50 per cent, of tho wfl-gos paid hut no guarantco was given that the men employed would be given full time with the result that many of them were worse off than the relief worker. There was also the problem of finding work for the boys and girls looking for a job. Future citizens of the country were having their moral character sapped. It would be necessary to do something very drastic to make things better for all and the only way the speaker could see was tho payment of sustenance according to the Act of 1930 if work could not be found.

Messrs S. Anderson, Peach, Poach, Wairnau, Thwaites, Hyde also spuKO during the lengthy discussion that followed.

Mr. Fell then moved: “That tho Government be called on to immediately put into operation the Sustenance Act of 1930 as agreed upon by our representatives in Parliament, full sustenance to be given where work at ruling rates cannot be provided.” Mr. Roach seconded and the resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. Hemingsen next moved: “That equal provision be made for both sexes and single men and women in accordance with their responsibilities. Mr. Hook seconded and this was carried unanimously. Mr. Thwaites moved: “That tho Unemployment Board bo called upon to increase the allocation immediately and that & sliding scale be adopted accord-

ing to the number of men on the register, the allocation to be on the same basis as in the cities.” Mr. Roach seconded the motion which Was carried unanimously Mr. Hemingsen pointed out that the local Unemployment Committee had backed tho workers very solidly, and moved that a vote of thanks and confidence be accorded to them. ■ Mr. Fell seconded the motion which was carried with acclamation. Tho Mayor responded on behalf of the committee. Mr. Hyde: Can we find some better way of bringing it home to the board than by resolutions which in the past have not received much attention? Mr. Hemingsen: Action has already been taken and we are glad to have the support of this meeting. When the House meets on Thursday it is expected that the matter will be brought to the notice of members. Votes of thanks to the business men and others who attended were passed by the relief workers, and also a vote of thanks' to the Mayor for taking tho chair.