SUSTENANCE MEN
GUIDE TO EMPLOYERS PUBLICATION OF NAMES SUGGESTION BY FARMERS A proposal to ask the Government to publish each week a list of ablebodied men on sustenance in each district, as a guide to employers when engaging labour, was discussed at a meeting at Invercargill of the Southland provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union. The proposal was the subject of a remit to the provincial conference from the Hyal Bush branch.
Mr. T. Verity, in moving the remit, said it was a common thing to engage a man and have him ask when being paid not to have his name on the cheque, as he was on sustenance. If the names were published in the newspapers there would not be half as many men on sustenance as there were to-day. “I had the experience of employing a man,” he added, “who asked for time off to draw his sustenance. I do not think, it is a fair thing to the public.”
Three Experiences A delegate: You should have reported that man.
Mr. Verity: Of course; a lot of farmers would, but they don’t. We would know, if their names were published, whether we were employing sustenance men or not. I have had three experiences of this kind. A man working for me on contract asked me to put someone else's name on the cheque as he was on sustenance. “And did you?" asked a member. “No, I did not,” replied Mr. Verity. “All the same, he argued that he was entitled to it, as he at least was willing to work while others on sustenance were not. I will say that these three men were good workers, even though they were on sustenance.” Criticism of the sustenance system in its effect on men who were willing to work was expressed by a delegate
“Reaching a Crisis”
Mr. H. Smith said he thought the position was rapidly reaching a crisis. He had heard of a case where a man who was working found that he was earning only Is 6d a week more than a man on sustenance.
Another speaker said there might be hardship attached to the publication of the names, as there were men who were unfit to work. It was stated that the men were classified, and the idea would be to publish only the names of able-bodied men.
Mr. W. H. Ward moved that the placement officer be asked to attend the next meeting of the executive and to explain the sustenance system and its operation. The motion was carried.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PBH19370708.2.146
Bibliographic details
Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19371, 8 July 1937, Page 13
Word Count
424SUSTENANCE MEN Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19371, 8 July 1937, Page 13
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