CHRISTMAS BONUS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23672, 2 December 1938, Page 8

CHRISTMAS BONUS

The arrangement announced by the Minister of Labour for the distribution of a Christmas bonus to men engaged on relief work or in receipt of sustenance is one in respect of which the Government is not likely to incur any serious criticism on genera] grounds. Few people will begrudge the prospective recipients this gratuity at the country’s expense, provided that it is equitably distributed, and the Labour Department seems to have taken considerable pains to ensure that the allocation shall be made on the fairest possible basis. What the total amount of the bonus is likely to be has not been indicated, though it will reflect, of course, in a concrete way the existence of something which in theory is supposed to have been done away with. It may be recalled that the first official act of the present Government after coming into office was to authorise a grant of £IOO.OOO for the provision of a “ Christmas box ” for the unemployed. That was in addition to the sum provided by the previous Government for the payment of a Christmas bonus. The Christmas season encourages a generous attitude of mind. There will be the less disposition, possibly, in any quarter to cavil at the Government’s announcement with regard to this year’s bonus for the relief workers and recipients of sustenance because of some anticipation that this will be the last occasion upon which this gratuity will be paid. The Employment Promotion Fund, out of which the payment will be made, goes out of existence on the first of April next, the levy and tax that feed it being merged in the contribution under the Social Security Act. which is to introduce a new dispensation. The Act nevertheless provides for “ unemployment benefits,” as it does for many others, on a basis that is considered to be adequate.