CLAIM FOR ASSISTANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 15

CLAIM FOR ASSISTANCE

FARMER NOT SATISFIED UNEMPLOYMENT AID REFUSED Four boys, whose ages ranged from three to eight years, were placed temporarily in the charge of tho Child Welfare Department in somewhat unusual circumstances on Thursday afternoon, but were later returned to the custody of their mother. The father, who occupies a small farm in the Oratia district, called at the office of the Unemployment Board in Auckland to make a complaint concerning the measure of assistance he was getting from the board. When told that he could not expect any additional belp, ho left the children in the office while he went in search of a policeman. The Child Welfare Department was at once communicated with, and within half an hour, with tho assistance of the police, the father and his four sons wore on their way back to Oratia. , The man's complaint concerning his treatment bv the Unemployment Board was explained yesterday by Mr. W. Slaughter, officer in charge of unemployment in the Auckland district, who said that the man had applied for assistance on tho ground that tho farm could not support the family. He was given a grant of 2os per week for 13 weeks and then a further grant of 20s for 13 weeks from the end of November. Latterly, however, he had refused to accept the money, claiming that he was entitled to a higher allowance. Inspectors of the Lands Department who had reported on his circumstances had stated that, if given proper attention, the farm should be fully capable of supporting the family, and the Unemployment Board decided that at the expiration of the present grant c; £1 for thirteen weeks the family could have no further claim on the funds. Yesterday morning he again visited the office of the board ayd announced that he had decided to accept the money and would endeavour to carry on at the farm.