ABSENCE FROM JOBS

Southland Times, Issue 22217, 9 January 1934, Page 5

ABSENCE FROM JOBS

GISBORNE UNEMPLOYED. (Per United Press Association.) Gisborne, January 8. In accordance with the resolutions passed last week the majority of the unemployed relief workers allocated work for to-day in the Gisborne Borough failed to report on their jobs. Of the 77 men designated for various jobs three only responded. . Pickets have been stationed in the vicinity of the works, including the borough vegetable gardens which are maintained for the relief of distressed families. BOARD’S RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT BY MR JESSEP. (Per United Press Association.) Gisborne, January 8. Commenting to-day on the position of the Gisborne unemployed in refusing relief work, Mr J. Jessep, Deputy Chairman of the Unemployment Board, stated: If the men are misled or intimidated from accepting relief, so far willingly supplied to them, and refuse the work offered, they then becoine voluntarily unemployed and the board has no further responsibility; nor have their neighbours who have supplied mon’ey required for relief. Allocations of relief, he continued, are based on the necessities of the various districts and the board did not pretend to give even allocations to all r .rts. Much of the relief was supplied by the taxpayers who had saved money when being paid no more than the unemployed were receiving. To-day in relief camps to provide an extra day per week would require £156,000 extra per annum. Mr Jessep emphasized definitely the policy of the board to place men on a piecework or contract basis, for the board considered that the bulk of the men were fully prepared to give reason.able value for money contributed by the.', fellows by means of unemployment taxation.