UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18208, 2 October 1933, Page 7

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

(To the Editor of the Herald.) Sir,—lt is interesting to read the remarks of Mr. J. S. Jessep, deputy chairman of the Unemployment Board, in an address to the representatives of the Christchurch local bodies. Mr. Jessep said the board had come to the conclusion that a piecework basis should be adopted, though it was admitted there were difficulties in the way, and goes on to say that a great many men would welcome a chance to give their best in return for the relief given them. After a lengthy discussion, the meeting passed a resolution that the methods adopted at present in connection with unemployed work are resulting in the deterioration of many workers. It is quite true, sir, that many men on relief work would give of their best if given the proper incentive to do so. That cannot be done by putting the men on piecework or contract, for the simple reason that it is quite impossible for the employers to set a

price on the many and varied jobs undertaken by relief workers’, so that every man that gave of his very best could earn 2s per hour. No sir. the only way to get good, efficient labor either by the Unemployment Board or any other employer, is to-buy it by the hour on quantity and quality, the same as any other article or commodity is bought. If the State and the Unemployment Board would bring in a 30-hour week of live days of six hours a day and set the wage at 2s (id per hour, skilled labor, and 2s per

hour, unskilled labor, the hours to lie 8 to 11 a.m., 12 to 3 p.m. (no smokoes), and give the men to clearly understand 'that during those six working hours they would require to give all their brains, skill and energy to the particular work on which they are engaged, otherwise their labor would

not be bought, there would lie no more heard of relief labor jobs taking twice or three times as long to do as they should do. It is easy for the foreman in charge of say a ’ dozen relief workers to see who is giving of his best and who is not. Those of the gang who give of their best work six hours for 12s, any slackers are tired at 9, 10 or 1.1 o'clock for that day as the foreman sees lit, and their wage for that day is 2s, 4s or Os, which would have been 12s had they given their very best. Those same slackers can start again the next morning, and it they give of their best and pull their weight they carry on and earn the 12s.

length, nothing definite being decided upon, as il was considered that the, present time was not suitable to make a. public appeal, and that the fund would nave to depend on the goodwill offerings of members, as in the past. Members were asked to remember this fund in future, if any society or function in which they were concerned had a balance left, which it wished to donate to some worthy object. Veterans S. Broingan and D. McUallum were appointed hospital visitors, and Veteran W/ Taylor as home visitor. •