UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22099, 1 November 1933, Page 5

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

TO THE EDITOR. . Sir—l cannot agree that a standard wage; say, £3 10s per, week for relief work, would attract men if other work was available. There are loafers in every business and sometimes it is, hard to sort them out, and if some of the relief workers loaf they are not the only Government paid servants that do so. I walked into a Government office in which' three out of seven employees had their feet upon their de.ks. I stated my business and was asked to call again next day. But I made it plain I wapted then a paper for which I asked and so I had it and was out in five minutes. We all learnt at school never to put off till tomorrow what we-can do to-day. I hope also that when folk get out to playing areas, etc., made by relief workers, they will realise it takes some brains and hard work to make them and that the workers do not receive standard wages. There are still a large number receiving big salaries created at boom times. The boom was over years ago. I suggest that the tax be taken off boys and girls at 13g and small wages and that a super tax be put on incomes over £lO. These citizens probably have liabilities and may have to drop some. The soldiers did not share in;.the boom and many of them haye not even a home, let alone a £IOO insurance policy. ’ But when they were allowed out of khaki they were asked' £l9 I9s for a navy suit from their prewar tailor. At 5s a day that would represent 80 days in- a place that did not spell home. . There was much hunting for a cheaper suit and unless one had another Government contract there has been; much hunting for /work to -live. Many soldiers tell me that it is very often not an advantage when applying' for work to state that one is a . dier. I hope there will never bp u ,uer ■ war, but ir so I am prepared to take in any white feathers that may be sent to piy husband. Superannuated servants are still allowed to i take work. They should either let others have it or forfeit their Government pay. Those fortunate enough to get £lO per week at any work should be able to serve well. • *A ’.‘minister of- religion cannot be a better Christian on £lO than £6. _ No wage, big or small, would enable a judge to. tell a married man ■ how to keep out of debt and within the law on from 20s to 37s a week! But those that legislate a living for all will be justly rewarded. To those that destroy food and curtail' out-. put', the gifts of Providence, to keep the price up, I should say that it is a drought they deserve and then they would realise that their idol—namely, money—would not purchase much of the one thing we cannot' live without, water. Why hoard? brought nothing into this world, and if *inan thought he had a plan to take anything out, I venture to say it would melt. Spend while here and others will benefit in the circulation, and I do not think they will . over spend. As io the reports ,pf better health during depression, it is never taken into account that if an unemployed man is not getting enough to eat he is certainly getting a full share of fresh ail and sunshine and that helps the health a lot. But one cannot live only on fresh air and sunshine. The landlord.must be paid so that he can live too. As - to the health of children and the community, it is not always at times of stress but very often in the reaction that the sickness shows. When everyone practices “ Live .and let live,” then only shall we have peace and contentment. —I am,, etc., M. October 30.