UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1932, Page 4

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

It is satisfactory to know that as a result of the protests made during the past fortnight, the allocation of funds by the Unemployment Board for the provision of work for the unemployed in. this district is to be brought more into conformity with that made elsewhere. A meeting of the local Unemployment Committee Avas held last evening, when the holding of a public meeting of protest was considered, in the light of the offer

made by the deputy-chairman of j the Unemployment Board (Mr. Jessep), to be unnecessary in the meantime. The Mayor reported that MV. Jessep bad authorised an allocation, until January 14, which would increase the relief wages of Class A men from 23/9 to 27/6 per week, and Class B men from 33/9 to 37/6 per week. It appeared from the discussion which took place last evening that there 'is not uniformity of interpretation of the Unemployment Board’s rulings throughout the Dominion, and that this has been largely to blame for the dissatisfaction which has taken place in some districts that have not fared as Well as others. It was resolved, last evening, to urge that there should, be uniformity of interpretation, by the 300 certifying officers in New Zealand. If this is done, the cause of a great deal of heartburning should be removed. The discussion which took place last evening, coupled with the official explanation of the failure by the Unemployment Board to reply to the Whangarei Committee’s correspondence, should do much to clear the air. It is to he hoped that the Unemployment Board will not withdraw the increased allocation after January 14. If; that should be done, without adequate reason, the people of Wbangarei need have no compunction about calling the public meeting which was last evening thought to lie unnecessary at the present time.