RELIEF PAY RATES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21414, 11 February 1933, Page 14

RELIEF PAY RATES

NEED FOR AN INCREASE MINISTER'S DIFFICULTIES [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Friday Representations for an increase in unemployment allocations were made in an urgent question addressed by Mr. W. E. Barnard (Labour —Napier) to the Minister of Employment, the Hon. A. Hamilton, in the House to-day. Mr. Barnard asked the Minister, in view of the altered conditions of the unemployed, what steps he would take in order that the unemployed and those dependent upon them might live. He said the rates of pay under No. 5 scheme for the current week in many towns would be for A class men (single), 7s 6dfor B class men (wife only, to wife and two children) from 22s 6d to 31s 3d; and for. C class men* (wife and three children or wife and more than three children), from 36s 3d to 40s. Many of the necessaries of life in such towns had been increased in price this week by 30 per cent and more, and the cumulative effect of the lowered relief pay and higher living costs had been to render it almost impossible to live. The Minister said he fully appreciated the difficulties under which the unemployed were labouring and their inability to make both ends meet, with the allocations they were receiving. It had to be remembered, however, that in a number of cases the rates were higher than in some of the country districts. "Wo are spending to-day an average weekly allocation which is greater' than our average weekly income,". said the Minister. "In these circumstances it is difficult to see how allocations can be increased at present." He pointed out that, relief works did not occupy the. full time of the men, who accordingly had the opportunity of earning something outside relief work. Although the unemployed were having a hard time, there were others who were in exactly the same position. Mr. Barnard: Some unemployed are nearing starvation point. The Minister: I agree.