UNEMPLOYED MEN’S PLIGHT

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1933, Page 5

UNEMPLOYED MEN’S PLIGHT

DISSATISFACTION EXPRESSED. CONDITIONS WORSE THAN ./EVER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, December 20. Representatives of unemployed single men receiving sustenance grants to-day made a statement that dissatisfaction exists. The usual amount received by them has been Bs. Bd. a week (7s. 6d. cash and Is. 2d. rations), and they have been expecting some further relief for the Christmas season.

The men were extremely disappointed when they went to the bureau this week and were told that they would get no rations. This meant a reduction of Is. 2d. a week. The men discussed the matter and decided to approach the Unemployment Board.

The last pay was on December 19 and the next is not due until December 28, so the men have to exist for nine days on 7s. 6d., and thus during the Christmas season, far from receiving even a trifling measure of additional assistance, they are met with conditions worse than any they have been under during the whole of the year. To make matters worse, the reduction followed on two short pays, for during the past fortnight the single men had stopped from their payment their -unemployment levy, in the shape of 2s. 6d. for the week ended December 5 and 3s. for the week ended December 12, the extra 6d. being a fine for the late payment. In other words, they have been fined for having no money.

Arrangements have been made to meet the board to-morrow morning.