STRONG OBJECTIONS

Southland Times, Issue 21659, 22 March 1932, Page 7

STRONG OBJECTIONS

RELIEF WORKERS’ WAGES. PROTEST TO BOARD. (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, March 21. Strong objection was taken at to-day’s meeting of the Christchurch Unemployment Committee to wages of 37/6 a week being paid to married men for 40 hours’ work in the camp at Little River. After a discussion, it was decided to prolast to the Unemployment Board against the wages paid and also against the Board keeping the committee in darkness regarding the scheme under which such wages were paid. In respect of the 4A scheme, the chairman said that in addition to paying 10/- weekly to each man employed, the board in some instances was paying the farmer employing the men 7/6 for the week for providing food for the men. With all their regard for the farmer, it was a little over the odds to give him labour free and also pay the workers’ keep. Some fanners were only land speculators and their lands were going to be improved at the expense of the country. A member of the committee said the keep was paid only when the board was satisfied the fanner could not afford to feed the man. The chairman said he was afraid the payments were not being confined to those men. It was decided to ask for particulars from the Unemployment Board.