RELIEF WORKERS

Southland Times, Issue 22295, 10 April 1934, Page 9

RELIEF WORKERS

SOUTHLAND ORGANIZATION INVERCARGILL EXECUTIVE. At the fortnightly meeting of the Invercargill executive of the Relief Workers’ Organization, Mr D. Strathern piesided over a good attendance of memThe following letter was received from the Commissioner of Employment (Mr S. C. Godfrey), relative to the qualifying period for relief workers- “ Applicants for relief, other than those who have been suspended for misconduct or for x’efusing to accept , relief work offered, are placed on relief on completion of the qualifying period of 14 days. This, however, would not apply where an applicant for relief completed his qualifying period in a standdown week. In such cases, relief would be granted in the week following the stand-down week.” This letter caused considerable discussion and it was decided to make further particulars available to the Commissioner and advise any man who, on registering, had had to stand down three weeks to forward particulars to the office, 10 Tay street, for further investigation. It was further decided that the local bodies be approached with a view to having some provision made for those men who had to stand down three weeks after registration. The following letter was received from the Town Clerk regarding several matters placed before the City Council at its last meeting: “The council has under consideration the question of endeavouring to provide funds in its estimates for carrying out certain works which, if given effect to, should improve conditions for the men it is in a financial position to engage. A public meeting has been convened by his Worship the Mayor to consider the condition of the men and their dependents, and to consider the steps to be taken for urging the abolition of the stand-down week. With regard to the case of Messrs Henderson and Marchant, I am communicating with the Unemployment Board to ascertain the actual authority employing the men. The Mayor has already taken steps in the direction of calling a meeting of those concerned to make arrangements for supplying firewood for the forthcoming months.” It was decided to publish the annual report before the annual meeting which is to be held in the Victoria Hall on Saturday, April 28. All nominations to be in the hands of the secretary of the Invercargill executive, Mr H. S. Tuson. before the 24th instant. Nominees must be financial members of the organization and nominated by other financial members. In accordance with the decision of a general meeting held some time ago, the executive decided that financial members alone be allowed voting on ■the questions. In order that relief workers desirous of obtaining membership tickets might become financial, it was decided that the men be instructed to apply at the office or obtain tickets from gang delegates. A complaint regarding first aid outfits was received from a Duck Creek member, and the matter was left to Mr Marchant for investigation. The winners of the competition were: J. Graham, Ritchie street (F 45 and R. Wellington, Tramway Road (843).