RELIEF WORKERS AND CHRISTMAS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19360, 8 December 1932, Page 8

RELIEF WORKERS AND CHRISTMAS

HOLIDAY AND WAGES REGULATIONS EXPLAINED. By Te!2*rapb—Press Association WELLINGTON, December 7. Replying to the Leader of the Opposition, who disked in the House whether the men in relief camps under supervision of the Public Works Department would receive payment during the Christmas period, Mr Coates said men. in the Public Works’ Department single men’s camp, would be granted a fortnight’s holiday on pay this Christmas, and the Unemployment Board had also agreed to pay half cost of return fares to their home town, or to the town from which they were engaged, whichever was the nearer. These men would receive holiday pay of 10/- a week before leaving camp. Those who did not wish to travel would be allowed to remain in 'camp, and would receive 10/- a week and their keep, without being required to work. Relief workers under the Department who worked full time, either at the rate of 10/- a day or on co-operative contract based on that wage, were not being granted any holidays on pay, but as in previous years they would have the option of taking the usual vacation without pay, or remaining at work. Workmen employed by the Department under No. 5 scheme were to be granted a fortnight’s holiday on pay on the same conditions as men employed by local bodies under this scheme. The ordinary standard worker employed by the Department would receive the usual treatment, namely, payment for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. if he had over two months and less than two years’ continuous service. If he had over two years’ service. he would receive payment for these three statutory holidays, and in addition twelve days’ annual leave.

Replying to a further question byMr Holland, the Hon. A. Hamilton said the Unemployment Board had arranged to pay half return fares to home towns, or to the towns from which they were recruited, in the cases of men employed in relief camps.