RELIEF WORKS

Southland Times, Issue 21265, 11 December 1930, Page 6

RELIEF WORKS

SUBSIDY EXHAUSTED FORMATION OF LOCAL COMMITTEES EMPLOYER’S LIABILITY (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, December 10. The sum of £25,000, allocated by the Unemployment Board for subsidies to local bodies on a basis of £2 to £l, has been exhausted, according to an official statement made to-day. It is hoped that this sum, with the amounts to be provided by the local bodies, will result in work being found for 2,100 men through the Dominion' between now and the end of next month. It is suggested that .employment should be given in alternating periods where necessary so that the men may be found at least a fortnight’s work. . . The attention of the board is now being turned to the second scheme, under which it will subsidize wages up to 7/- a day on a pound for pound basis. The chief concern at the moment is the formation of local committees and the board is particularly anxious that these bodies should be formed as soon as possible, as it will be through them that the operation of this scheme will be carried out. A large- number of inquiries has already been made for assistance and it appears T that the second £25,090 to be set aside by the board for this measure of Christmas relief will be as eagerly sought after as was the first sum.

Apprehension has been expressed in many quarters concerning the liability of employers for compensation in case of accident to those men to whom they have given casual employment. It appears that if a casual employee is injured the employer will be liable for compensation. This will not proye a serious consideration to many who are insured against accidents to their employees but it is natural that many persons, who give a man work for a day or two in the garden or in other casual employment, will not be 1 protected. The question was discussed at to-day’s meeting of the board and it is expected that a satisfactory solution of the problem -will be reached. An appeal is made to civic authorities to take the initiative in the formation of local committees. The board has emphasized that the assistance and co-operation of these committees will be essential to the working of the second scheme. The board’s subsidy will not exceed 7/a day in any one case, but the actual wages to be paid to relief workers under the scheme will be a matter for mutual arrangement between the employer and the employee. This means that while it might Jre possible for an employer to pay a man .7/a day, so bringing the wages up to 14/- a day. there will probably be others who will not'be able to do so. In that case less will have to be accepted but. the opinion is that the men will be advised to accept temporary work at lower wages, rather than make it impossible for employers to take them on at all by demanding high rates-of pay.

NO FUNDS AVAILABLEPROTEST ENTERED. (Per United Tress Association.) Dunedin, December 10. At to-night's meeting of the City Council it was decided that, a copy of the following resolution, which was unanimously carried, be sent to the Unemployment Board: That this council makes an emphatic protest against the decision of the Unemployment Board to make no grant towards providing work for the unemployed men here. The council can find work for 100 men immediately, but it has expended all the available funds for the present financial year. Unless a straightout substantial grant is made there is no chance of any relief being given .before Christmas.” POSITION IN NELSON TELEGRAM TO MINISTER. (Per United Press Association.) Nelson, December 10. The Hon. W. W. Snodgrass has forwarded the following telegram to the Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Labour: The position in regard to unemployment here is extremely acute. Fifty local married men, 20 local single man and 58 outside men left here discharged from the relief works and on the local register many are really desperate, while 70 men have been landed by steamer from Wellington in the last three days. They are proceeding to the relief works. Surely our local men and your stranded relief men should have first consideration. I hope that you can do something to remedy the position. MILITANT UNEMPLOYED ATTEMPT TO PREVENT EVICTION. POLICE USE FORCE. (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, December 10. An attempt by the militant section of the unemployed to prevent the eviction of a tenant of a house in Bealey Avenue yesterday afternoon was forestalled by the police, although some force had to be used to keep the mob clear of the building. A crowd of 1000 onlookers quickly arrived on the scene and there was considerable excitement while the trouble lasted. During the scuffle a piece of iron pipe and a jagged lump of hardwood were thrown in the direction of the police, but no one was hurt. There were 17 uniformed men and a detective on the scene and the eviction eventually took place ?■ without hindrance.