PAYMENT OF SUSTENANCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 3 February 1931, Page 5

PAYMENT OF SUSTENANCE

MR HOLLAND’S STATEMENT REPLY BY BOARD CHAIRMAN (By Telegraph—Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day. Replying to Mr Holland’s recent slaleinent with regard to the Unemployment Act and the payment of sustenance, the chairman of tho Unemployment Board, the Hon. S. G. Smith, says that the board is conforming strictly to the terms of the Act, which provides that sustenance “may” he paid. The hoard therefore, in view of tho growing list of unemployed and the possibility of work not being available, prepared’ the regulations necessary for tho payment, of sustenance so that, there would he no delay if need aroso. Under scheme 5, which is on a rationing basis Mr Smith says it will ho possible for every man lo obtain a costain amount of work each week. With regard to Mr Holland’s charge that the hoard has failed hopelessly_ in tho matter of providing work Mr Smith says Mr Holland is plainly out of touch with the facts, which are that during the two months of its existence the hoard has originated schemes whereby local bodies and 120 local committees in all parts of the Dominion have found work for thousands of men involving an. outlay of nearly 1)100,000. 'lho hoard, he says, has llie right- to expect assistance from members of parliament, but it is very doubtful if Mr Holland can reconcile bis comment, with his plain duty to assist, in e.verv wav in the amelioration of the troubles ol the unemployed.