UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18200, 22 September 1933, Page 10

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

HOSPITAL BOARD EFFORTS COMMITTEE’S REPORT A special committee appointed by the Cook Hospital Board last 1 month to further the representations of the board to the Minister of Employment, submitted :i brief report to yesterday’s meeting of the board, covering its activities in the interim. The text of the report was as felloes: "A special meeting of the committee was held on August 21. to consider appeals from relief workers fur assistance, in view of the Unemployment Board’s allocation of work.

“At the request of the- committee Mr. P. Fulton, local unemployment officer, was present at the meeting. “Mr. Fulton reported on the action taken by him towards obtaining increased assistance for the relief workers, the chairman also stating the action taken by the board. The board’s telegram and letter of August 18 was considered and confirmed by the committee.

“Mr. Fulton pointed out that provision bad been made by a special allocation to men who were prepared to go to outlying districts, stating that work could be found, and that in one instance there was work waiting four married men, who would receive pay at 37s 6d per week for three weeks, and found in food, by the farmer. The farmer in this particular instance was also prepared to pay the men for their stand-down week. Mr. Fulton stated that there was work available to every married man who was prepared to go to the country, and who would obtain pay for three weeks out of four, and be found in food.

“Mr. Coleman pointed out that when all men are offered 37s 6d per week, the Hospital Board could feel relieved of responsibility. It was pointed out that m the present week the work was not available.

“Single men.—Mr. Fulton pointed out that he had at present vacancies for 14 single men, who could earn 10s per week and found. “Tlie chairman. Mr. M. T. Trafl'ord. pointed out that the position was better as a result of the appeal that had been made, and recommended that we assist the married men for the present week, the committee agreeing that an allowance of 10s he made to the married men, and' 7s 6d for the single men, who would not receive any work in their stand-down week. “Mr. Coleman stressed the necessity for the Unemployment Board facing the responsibility, and it was agreed that Mr. Fulton explain to the men when applying for their work on Wednesday that the Hospital Board would assist on this occasion.

“Unemployment levies. —It was agreed that unemployment levies should be paid where it was considered necessary to do so, the matter to be left to the discretion of the secretary.”

When the report came before the board. Airs. A. M. Beer asked the chairman whether they could come to some conclusion regarding the future treatment of single men who are still unable to secure work in their stand-down weeks. Airs. Beer commented that on the previous clay there had been _l4 men applying to' the Mayor for assistance. being unable to secure work or other means of sustenance. The Mayor had asked that the board make a distribution of special outdoor relief to eight of these men. at tiie rate of 5s each, and sht? understood, continued Mrs Beer, that certain information had been asked for by the managing secretary, Afr. C. A. Harries.

On the motion of the chairman, Air. M. T. Trafl'ord, it was decided that the committee previously appointed should hold a further meeting to decide the future policy of the board in regard to tit single men.