STANDARDS OF RELIEF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21844, 5 July 1934, Page 14

STANDARDS OF RELIEF

ADEQUACY CHALLENGED MANIFESTO BY CHURCHES PITIABLE CONDITIONS A manifesto protesting against present unemployment relief< standards, particularly that of sustenance relief, lias been issued by the executive of the Auckland Council of Christian Congregations. The document, which was unanimously adopted by a meeting 'of the executive this week, is as follows; — (1) This council views with alarm the persistence of unemployment and tho inadequacy of standards of relief provided, especially with regard to the sustenance rate of 17s Gd a week for a married couple, plus 2s for each child, with a maximum of 265. (2) The council supports the Society •of Friends in its representations to Parliament, and is in agreement with the minimum standard of living advocated by the society, namely: (a) Married couple, a week —Food, 12s 9d; rent, 12s Gd; clothing (upkeep only), 5s 9d; firing, 5s Gd; lighting, Is; total, 37s Gd. (b) Married couple, with three children between 1 and 10 years—Food, 22s lOd; rent/'l7s Gd; clothing, 8s 2d; firing, 5s Gd; light. Is; total, 555. (3) The council invites clergy and ministers of all denomination**, to make next Sunday, July 8, a day of special prayer for divine guidance and wisdom concerning unemployment, and to bring before their congregations the pitiable state of tho largo section of their fellow-citizens at present in receipt of a scalo of relief insufficient to supply the bare moans of subsistence.

(4) Tho ministers of all denominations be asked to commend to their congregations tho public meeting convened by the Citizens' Unemployment Committee, to bo held in the Town Hall on Tuesday, July 10, under the chairmanship of His Worship the Mayor, for the purpose of impressing on Parliament the urgent need of alloviating these distressing conditions.

PUBLIC PROTEST MEETING TOWN HALL ARRANGEMENTS Dissatisfaction with the reply given by the Minister of Employment, the Hon. A. Hamilton, to the proposals made by a citizens' committee iu Auckland for changes in unemployment relief, was expressed at a meeting of tho committee yesterday. The proposals wore originally made by a gathering of representatives of local bodies, social organisations and institutions interested. They included a recommendation that, pending tho reabsorption of unemployed into industry, sustenance should be paid on the scale laid down in the original Act of 1930, and that work of a constructive nature be carried out at standard rates of pay. It was decided to hold a public meeting in tho Town Hall next Tuesday evening, when tho Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, will preside, and also speak. Addresses also will bo given by Bishop Liston, the Rev. W. W. Averill, tho Rev. C. G. Scrimgoour, Dr. H. Barrowclough, Messrs. W. J. Holdsworth, J. A. C. Allum, F. E. Lark a<nd A. G. Hultquist. Particular attention will be paid to tho amount of sustenance paid under existing conditions.

The City Council has granted free use of the Town Hall and conceit; chamber. Should the latter be necessary, speakers will address both meetings personally. Loud-speakers also will bo installed in Grey's Avenue.