RELIEF RATES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20065, 23 March 1935, Page 8

RELIEF RATES

IMMEDIATE INCREASE URGED By Telegraph— Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, March 22. Advocacy of an immediate increase in relief rates for all grades of work for unemployed by 10/- a week and a continuance of that increase until schemes are devised for the absorption of the unemployed in works at standard rates of pay, was the principal of several decisions concerning unemployment reached at the amiual conference of the Municipal Association today 7. The subject was keenly debated. During the debate it was mentioned that the cost of giving increased pay of 10/- a week would be £300,000 a year. It was also stated, and the statement w T as generally endorsed, that the Unemployment Board should produce a statement of its expenditure, showing exactly how all Its great income was used. The resolutions carried were as follows. “That the executive be instructed to go into the whole question of improving the conditions of the unemployed by a scheme, or schemes, for providing work at standard rates of pay, the scheme to be financed partly by the local authorities and partly by the Unemployment Board or in any other manner conceived, and that in the meantime the Unemployment Board be asked to increase the wages of all grades of workers by 10/- a week.” “That the Minister of Internal Affairs be urged to allocate the proceeds of art unions during the winter months to the relief of distress.” “That this conference recommends to the Government that unemployed men who are ill should, on production of the medical certificates, be supported from the Unemployment funds.” A remit suggesting that the Government be again urged to abolish the No. 5 scheme and to divert the money allocated for it to reproductive avenues ensuring full employment at standard rates of pay was referred to the executive under the terms of a motion previously carried. The election of officers resulted— President: Mr C. O. Morse; vice-presi-dents: the Mayors of Auckland. Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin; additional to executive committee: the Mayors of Timaru. Palmerston North, Ashburton, Hawera, New Brighton, Rotorua, the chairman of the Papataetae and Havelock North Town Boards and Mr J. A. Callum, representing transport boards.