HIGHER SUSTENANCE RATES

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1936, Page 2

HIGHER SUSTENANCE RATES

INCREASES FROM 3/TO 6/- A WEEK

[Special to “Northern Advocate”] WELLINGTON, This Day. The Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, announces that the recently approved increases in sustenances rates will be 3/ a week for single men, and 6/ a week for married men. The increase will operate from today.

“The Government,” said Mr Armstrong, “is exploiting, and will continue to exploit, every possible avenue likely to afford full-time work at standard rates. The Public Works Department has embarked upon an extensive programme of works, and has thus been (instrumental in absorbing a large number of men beyond its normal requirements; special inducements have been offered to local bodies to commence large undertakings on a full-time basis; and the striking success of the placement scheme in placing over 15,000 men in private employment for varying terms shows, that the Government has left no stone unturned in its efforts to secure the rehabilitation of the * unemployed.

Must Accept Work. “The recent Government caucus considered ways and means of promoting still further employment, and these efforts will be continued by a Cabinet Committee, specially appointed for that purpose. ✓

It is fitting to state here that the Government expects and requires that every able-bodied man offered work at standard rates under reasonable conditions shall accept that offer. Failing acceptance, he will be regarded as voluntarily unemployed, and, therefore, undeserving of Government assistance in any shape or form.

“A Christmas bonus of £1 for women and single men and £2 for married men will be granted to those who actually qualify for and receive relief in respect of the week ending December 5. The bonus will be available to men on sustenance or employed on a rationed basis under No. 5 scheme and to gold prospectors, including those employed on developmental work (other than those in full time work at standard rates of pay). The bonus will also be paid to those working on their own property under No. 4 scheme,-to sustenance recipients under the Small Farm Plan, and to eligible intermittent workers.

Less Than Last Year, But

“It will be observed that the bonus is less than that paid last year, but it Is considered that no exception can be taken to this, in view of the substantial improvements earlier effected in relief rates generally.” Christmas Holidays. Regarding the Christmas holidays, the Minister said a two weeks’ paid holiday would .be granted, in respect of the weeks ending December 26 and January 2, to those of the following classes, who would normally be entitled to relief during those weeks: (a) Men in receipt of sustenance or employed on a rationed basis under Scheme 5. (b) Gold prospectors employed under Scheme 15, including those on development work, , but excluding those employed for 40-hours or more a week at standard rates ' of pay. ( Where men are employed by local authorities for full-time at standard rates of pay, the usual subsidy from the Employment Promotion Fund will be provided in respect of the abovementioned two weeks, provided, however, that the local authority grants the holiday and pays its. proportion of the usual .wages.

A Warning. Where Scheme 5 relief wages are supplemented by a local authority to at least the nearest half-day above the weekly allocation, the usual subsidies will be provided during the ■holiday period, irrespective of whether the local authority is prepared to supplement the pay of the men concerned. Finally, Mr Armstrong uttered w a warning: “It is with regret that I must refer to the fact that a considerable number of cases of wilful misrepresentation with a view to securing relief benefits still occur. In view of this practice I am left with no alternative but to direct that drastic action is to be taken against t uch men who are sufficiently unprincipled to secure under false pretences the relief benefits which are provided by the community for the benefit of those who are unemployed and unable to make normal provision for Lheir wives and children.”