RELIEF POLICY DISPUTE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19100, 22 August 1936, Page 5

RELIEF POLICY DISPUTE

NEW SOUTH WALES RIFT DEMAND FOR REVISION REJECTION BY CABINET (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) SYDNEY, Aug. 21. An extremely delicate situation has arisen in New South Wales polities, due to the revolt of a number of Government supporters, solely United Australia Party members, against the Government's newly-devised plan gradually to discontinue relief works in favour of full-time employment of men on public works at award rates. The immediate effect of this policy will be the throwing back on the dole of some 15,000 workers, mostly single men, who will be entitled to food and relief orders valued at only a' few shillings. The Government, however, anticipates that these men in the course of time will be absorbed in regular employment, and thus cease to be a charge on the State. FEARS OF HARDSHIP

At least 18 out of 23 United Australian Party members, on the other hand, contend that these men and possible dependants will have to suffer great hardship reminiscent of the depression days.

The Government's action is described as over-suddert and retrograde and the feeling in the metropolitan electorates is running so high that following a party,meeting,, 18 objectors to the Government's plan demanded that the "Cabinet should suspend its operation for throe months until the return of the Premier, Mr. B. S. B. Stevens, from abroad. The Cabinet,met to-day and for five hours discussed what is regarded as a virtual ultimatum, and finally rejected the request. A noteworthy feature of the crisis is that the Country Party group of Government members is ranged solidly behind the Government.