HOUSES FOR UNEMPLOYED

Taranaki Daily News, 26 May 1933, Page 9

HOUSES FOR UNEMPLOYED

RENT ASSISTANCE URGED SUBSIDY FROM GOVERNMENT. PROPOSALS AT WAIPUKURAU. USES OF UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS. By Telegraph—Press Associa.ion. Waipukurau, May 25. A representative conference of local bodies, the Chamber of Commerce and Unemployed Association, convened by the Mayor, was held last evening, when the following resolution was carried: “That in the interests of unemployed workers’ security of tenure of homes the Government be recommended to find ways of subsidising at least 50 per cent, of the rental or interest payments, say, within a limit of 10s for married men with no children, 12s 6d for not more than two children, and 15s for three or more, tire higher scales to be contingent on the housing, providing for not less than three and four rooms respectively. The payment is to be direct to the landlord or mortgagee, who is required to file an application of such supplementary assistance. For, say, 40,000 workers entitled to an average of 10s weekly, the cost would be £20,000. It was recommended that until the board was able to pay all ,the unemployed in full the announced basis of all schemes, small farm plans etc., involving relief money for capital work be discontinued. In the opinion of the meeting'the unemployment moneys should not be used for setting up men on the' land, but solely to relieve distress and unemployment. All schemes except No. 5, it was contended, should Be cut out until functioning equitably throughout the country. It was further resolved that the board’s attention be drawn! to the disparity between the amounts paid to workers of the Waipukurau town and country compared with the larger centres.. The position was urgent, as . little seasonal work was obtainable.