DEFINITE PROMISES

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1935, Page 5

DEFINITE PROMISES

IMPROVEMENT FOR UNEMPLOYED.

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MINISTER.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Auckland, Last Night.

Two definite promises of improvements in conditions governing the treatment of relief workers and those on sustenance were made to a large deputation of unemployed by the recently appointed Minister of Employment,- the Hon. S. G. Smith, at the town hall. The Minister undertook that men on the unemployment registex- who had grievances against decisions by local officers of the Unemployment Board would be given the right of appeal, and said that after Easter men who attended a job on wet days would be paid, even if no work were done. He refused to commit himself to grant an extra 10s a week to unemployed in all categories, saying there was not enough money in the unemployment fund to do this. Referring to his promise to arrange for appeals by relief workers, the Minister said his present thought was to arrange for the worker concerned and the officer of the board to go before a magistrate in the privacy of the magistrate’s room and discuss tfie case. Asked whether he would also allow a representative of the association to which the appellant belonged to be present, the Minister said he would consider the point. He wanted to be fair.