UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21640, 10 May 1932, Page 10

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir, — I would like to draw atttention again to the administration of unemployment relief, and would advise ratepayers to read and consider the report of the Bruce County Council on its last year’s work. The year began with a credit balance of £56, and ended with a credit balance of £2673, and the County Council claims as much credit as possible for the position. What it does not tell in its report is the number of its previous employees dependent on unemployment relief whose positions it has kept unfilled during this same period. The County Council tells how it has found work for unemployed to the extent of £2470 under the No. 5a scheme. Has any of the work that has been done under this scheme been work of a kind performed by these previous employees? An answer to this would be worth considering. Then there was the rebate on local rates of last year which, it is understood, came out of the Highway Board’s funds. According to its report the council was in.a position to give this to the ratepayers' of its own accord. This money coming out of the highway funds means so much less spent on highway improvement, and so much less employment to effect this work, and therefore so much more unemployment. Mr Coates is appealing to local bodice and farmers and other employers for assistance. If they are assisted in this way a tax of 5s in the pound on wages is easily in view.—l am, etc., Watch. Milburn, May 9.