UNEMPLOYED RELIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21161, 19 April 1932, Page 8

UNEMPLOYED RELIEF.

OPPOSITION TO DOLE. THE PROBLEM OF FINANCE. EFFORTS TO PROVIDE WORK. PLANS FOR THE WINTER. [BY TELEGRAPH.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Monday. Urgent representations from Auckland that the Government should consider the advisability of paying sustenance in accordance with clause 20 of the Unemployment Act of last year are understood to have been under the Cabinet's consideration to-day. Tt was stated officially that the whole question of unemployment policy is in hand with a view to ensuing that none shall go short of food and shelter this winter and that a statement on the Government's proposals will be made later this week. " Unofficially it is gathered that there is considerable reluctance on the Cabinet s part to countenance anything in the nature of a dole. Efforts are being directed toward ensuing that sufficient work will be available for all, and it is anticipated that an announcement will shortly be made that the stand-down weeks under No. 5 scheme have been abolished. However, it may be that the present scale of wages will be revised. The greatest difficulty confronting the Government and the Unemployment Board is the question of Finance. The wage tax of a shilling in the pound proposed under the Unemployment Bill, which is now almost ready for "\ ice-Regal assent, is estimated to bring in about £3,000,000. The flat rate levy of £1 yearly produces about £400,000. However, the Government proposes to take from the shoulders of hospital boards the burden of outdoor relief, so that very little additional money will be available for providing men with work. Cabinet's Real Difficulty. A clause in this year's Unemployment Bill seeks to empOwev the unemployment fund to be used in certain instances for the purchase of food, clothing and other necessities. It is believed assistance in the direction of aiding rent payments will also be proposed in an amendment to be introduced before the bill is presented to the Governor-General for signature, although it, is possible that the intention will not be expressed in so many wo wis. The real difficulty confronting the Cabinet in regard to the sustenance proposal is apparently the large additional expenditure involved. It is believed that an announcement by the Government that it was prepared to pay sustenance would inevitably mean a large increase in the number of registered unemployed, for many would find sustenance • more attractive than relief work, particularly as the disparity between the amounts received would be negligible if the rates of sustenance prescribed in the Act were paid. Other Means ol Assistance. Tn all the circumstances it seems unlikely that the Government will agree to any cash payments being made without an equivalent in work being performed. if it, is found impossible to provide work for everyone assistance will probably be given, but not in actual cash, for the purchase of food, clothing and other necessities, for those qualified under Section 20 of the Inemployment Act,' 3930, for sustenance. It is even possible that the earnings of some of those on relief work will be augmented by similar assistance, particularly if it is found necessary to scale down the present rate of relief work

wages. It is gathered that the Government is unlikely to be stampeded in connection with its unemployment policy because of the recent disturbances in Auckland. One bright gleam in a dark sky is the l-eport that numerous applications are being received from those anxious to take, advantage, of the Government's scheme for settlement of unemployed workers on rural allotments and the accommodation problem involved in that plan is being given close attention.

POSITION IN AUCKLAND. PROVISION OF WORK. STAND DOWN POSTPONED. A further statement was made by the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, last evening regarding the provision of relief work in the city for the unemployed. The Mayor -said: — regard to the announcement made yesterday there has been some misunderstanding which has now been cleared up. Tlie position is that the. men who worked last week can continue this week for the number of days to which they arc entitled, as well as making up any time lost last week. All men will also be employed next week. The stand-down week has been postponed until later. Tho opportunity to make up for lost time, however, cannot bo held open indefinitely. "My object in making the arrangement was that no one should suffer from the time lost last week. If any further trouble arises in this connection, tho city engineer should bo communicated with."

FAY FOR RELIEF WORK. CAMBRIDGE UNEMPLOYED. COMPLAINT MADE TO MAYOR. [r.V TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CAMBRIDGE, Monday. Six representatives of the 85 listed unemployed in the Cambridge district, who waited on the Mayor, Mr. <C. H. Priestley, this afternoon, stated that the present allocution was insufficient. They were allowed only 8s to 10s a day, giving a maximum ol 30s a week. It was impossible, they said, for a married man and family to pay rent and live on such an amount. The chief complaint of the deputation was regarding tho standdown week. Mr. Priestley said an endeavour would be made to get an increased allocation, and the Unemployment Board would be requested to try to overcome the standdown week. Ho gave an assurance that he would do all lie could for the unemployed.