RELIEF WORKERS’ CHRISTMAS. BOX.

Southland Times, Issue 21895, 22 December 1932, Page 12

RELIEF WORKERS’ CHRISTMAS. BOX.

To the Editor. Sir,—A few days ago it appeared in the Press, that the unemployed were to receive two weeks’ pay Christmas and New Year weeks without having to work, and it was termed a Christmas Box.’’ Yes, we are going to get it, but does the public know what these two weeks pay amount to ? . During conversations with business people and those who are not unfortunate enough to have to work on Relief Works, I gather they do not know exactly what pay we shall get for these two weeks. Everyone seems to be under the impression we are going to get' two full weeks’ pay. These folk seem to me to believe all they read in print, so perhaps if it is explained more fully they will be convinced. First of all I would like to point out we have had a cut in our allotment of working hours. Last week the three day men suffered a loss of 3 hours at 1/3. This week they lose another 2 hours at 1/3 per hour. This week the 4 day men are cut down to three days 6 hours, a loss of 2 hours at 1/3 which means that a few hundred, halfcrowns will not find their way into the storekeepers’ tills. Now I would like to explain what cash a 4 day man (one with four dependents, some have more) will pick up this week-end: £ s d He will work this week 3 days, 6 hours at 10/- per day, less 6d per day bus fare 115 6 Christmas week 2 days 6 hours at 10/- per day 17 6 New Year week 3 days 7 hours at 10/- per day 1 18 9 Total for three weeks 5 19 We get the two weeks pay (not full weeks) £3 6/3 without having to work for it. This amounts to £1 13/1J per week. Out of this I will have to pay 12/6 rent per week, that leaves me £1 0/71 to feed, clothe and provide firing for five of us for seven days. If I leave out clothes and firing (Christmas toys are out of the question) five mouths have to be fed on 2/11 (I’ll omit the fraction) per day or 7d each. Of course we shall get a “hand out” from the Depot this week. I wonder what it will be? It is usually sugar, rice, oatmeal, butter, 1J loaves of bread and a forequarter of fat mutton. Can anyone tell me how to feed three growing boys on 7d per day per boy. I am sure 7d worth of food per day will leave me with a great big appetite, also the wife. I am sure if Councillor Gilkison reads this he will understand that the relief workers are not made of sugar, but I would like to inform him much more of this and they will be mere shadows.—l am etc., SCRUB CUTTER. P.S. Some pay more than 6d per day bus fare.