UNEMPLOYED RELIEF

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1934, Page 6

UNEMPLOYED RELIEF

NEW ALLOCATION SYSTEM.

THREE GRADES ADOPTED.

Hamilton, Nov. 17.

A statement that the whole system, of unemployed relief allocation was being reviewed, and that he hoped to announce shortly some changes which would improve the lot of those citizens who by force of circumstances were obliged to rely on the Unemployment Fund for assistance and were on the lower graded allocations, was made today by the acting-Minister of Employment, the Hon. J. A. Young. As a matter of sound principle, however, it was not desirable to bring unemployment relief benefits too close to the earnings obtainable in normal employment. “The adoption of a new system of classification involving three grades of relief pay in place of the present multiplicity of gradings was approved at a meeting of the Unemployment Board this week,” said Mr. Young. One grade would apply to the four main cities; the second would apply to the provincial towns such as Hamilton, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Napier, Palmerston North, Timaru,. .and other similar centres; while the third grade would refer to country districts.

Mr. Young said that in the past administrative difficulties had been experienced on account of the numerous local gradings. The change would not materially affect the city allocations, but it would correct certain inequalities which had occurred, particularly in the provincial towns and country districts. The change would place, the system on a more scientific basis as far as the head office of the Unemployment Board was concerned. Mr. Young said he felt sure the new arrangement would appeal to the community as being much fairer than the old method with its many

differences over most parts of the Dominion. Mr. Young added that some little time must be allowed the accountant and financial advisers to the Unemployment Board to examine closely the position on the figures tentatively submitted, to work out in detail the effect of the proposed new allocations on the Unemployment Fund, and to report thereon before being finally considered. TREATMENT OF MAORIS. BOARD’S POLICY DEFINED. Hamilton, Nov. 17. The decision of the Unemployment Board to differentiate in the amounts of relief moneys paid to unemployed Maoris and to unemployed Europeans was referred to by the acting-Minister of Employment to-da*

Mr. Young said the board had no desire to attract Maoris away, from the communal form of life and the cultivation of their own lands, to which they had been accustomed. Under these conditions Maoris were enabled to live far more economically than could Europeans. Maori labour, said Mr. Young, was looked upon as being used largely for seasonal work in rural districts. For instance, there was such work as ensilage-making, hay-making, shearing, and potato digging. It had been urged that some of these occupations were not available in the Waikato to the same extent as they were in other localities. Mr. Young said the question of relief pay for Maoris was receiving the immediate consideration of the Unemployment Board, and there need be no fear but that the Maoris would be fairly treated. Mr. Young said he hoped to be able to indicate at an early date the decision reached by the board.