UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1932, Page 9

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

NORTH TARANAKI REGISTRATIONS.

The North Taranaki Unemployment Relief Committee met at New Plymouth yesterday, Mr. J. Brown presiding. There were also present Messrs. W- G. Reid, R, W. D. Robertson, J. W. Darby and H. V. S. Griffiths. Registrations had been fairly numerous in the last few weeks, reported the secretary (Mr. C. P. Smith). However, a number of men had obtained work and the total had not increased. _ . Mr. Hannan said the registrations at this time of the year were rather disturbing, especially in view of the fact that many men were engaged in tne building and painting trades under the provisions of the No. 10 scheme, In addition there was generally some odd jobs about this time. A circular from the Unemployment Board stressed the necessity for relief workers to cultivate garden plots. The secretary stated that this was being done by men on the New Plymouth register who had land. A letter was received from the Umaru committee pointing out that the allocation for the relief of unemployment in that district was insufficient, and support of a resolution urging that an increased allocation be granted was requested. The difficulty was that there was no suggestion as to where the additional money was to. ; come from, said the chairman. As far as he could see there was only one way and that was by mcreased taxation. As things were'he did not see how the people could Stand pat. In Mr. Robertson’s opinion not much money could be obtained by taxation. The people had no money with which to pay further taxes. Mr. Griffiths said it was agreed that the allocation was insufficient to keep th Mr. Robertson wondered if the allocation was meant to be sufficient to keep the men. It. was intended, he thought, rather as some measure of assistance to the men unemployed. On the motion of Mr. Griffiths, seconded by Mr. Robertson, it was decided to urge the Unemployment Board to reconsider the position and, if Pistole, reinstate the Original scheme 5 allocation for New Plymouth. Regarding the Christmas and New Year holidays for men under Scheme 5, a circular from the board stated there was a danger that men who had not been receiving relief would register for the purpose of taking advantage of the concession of two weeks’ pay to those whose circumstances had made it necessary or them to go on relief. It was indicated that the concession was intended to apply only to those who were actually on relief or eligible therefor in the week ending December