UNEMPLOYMENT

Southland Times, Issue 20525, 29 June 1928, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT

PAY ON RELIEF WORKS PREMIER REPLIES TO DEPUTATION NO INCREASE AGREED TO (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, June 28. The Prime Minister has sent the following letter to Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., in reply to a deputation which recently raised the question of work for the unemployed and the rate of wage: Referring to representations which were made to my colleague, the Acting-Minister of Labour, regarding the question of increasing pay to men employed on relief works, I have to inform you that the matter has since been considered in Cabinet and it is regretted that no increase in the present rate viz., 9/- for single men and 12/- for married men can be agreed to. You will I know fully appreciate the fact that the Government is carrying a large proportion of the unemployed at the present time and for your information 1 would point out that in addition to approximately 7,000 men who are receiving standard rates of pay or who are engaged in co-operative contracts based upon the standard rates, over 400 men have been offered relief work. It should be recognized that 9/- and 12/are the minimum rates for those employed on relief works and that whenever possible co-operative contracts are let which enable the men to receive more than the specified relief rates of pay. It has also been made possible for loc£l bodies to engage the services of approximately 2,000 men as the result of a Government subsidy to local bodies for certain approved works. Relief works are not of an urgent nature nor are they of immediate necessity but have been opened up in order to give men who cannot find employment elsewhere measure of relief until such time as conditions improve and will permit of them taking up work in another avenue, yours faithfully, J. G. Coates.