GOLD PROSPECTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22710, 24 October 1935, Page 18

GOLD PROSPECTING

SUBSIDY TO UNEMPLOYED INCREASE OF HALF A CROWN PER WEEK (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 23. The subsidy paid to unemployed men engaged in gold prospecting is to be increased by half a crown per week from October 28. Advice to this effect was received by Mr W. A. Bodkin to-day from the Minister of Employment (Mr S. G. Smith). At present single men are paid 15s per week, and the married men's subsidy is 30s per week. Consequently from October 28 the rates will be 17s 6d and 32s 6d per week respectively. Commenting decision to increase the prospectors' subsidies, the Minister stated that although these men were not regarded as being strictly in the category of relief workers, and accordingly had not received the benefit of the recent general increases in relief rates and recognition of their enterprise and energy in leaving the towns to try to better their lot on the goldfielde, the subsidies were, of course, really grubstakes, and in most cases were not the miners' sole means of support. They were entitled to retain in addition the gold which they won on the claims provided for them by the board.