CHRISTMAS BONUS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20281, 3 December 1935, Page 7

CHRISTMAS BONUS

“UNFAIR POSITION” REPRESENTATIONS TO BE MADE The fact that if a registered unemployed relief worker, who had been on relief work throughout the year, accepted private employment this week, he would automatically be deprived of the Unemployment Board's Christmas bonus of two week's pay without work, aroused strong comment at the monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council yesterday. The subject came up for discussion when a circular letter was received from the Commissioner of Unemployment intimating that all registered relief workers would be eligible for two weeks’ holiday on full pay in respect of the weeks ending December 28 and January 4 next. The chairman (Mr K. Mackenzie) remarked that he was at present employing three men, two of whom were engaged in shearing. These three men had been on unemployment relief work for practically the whole of the year, but, if the weather continued fine, and they worked for him for the whole of the present week, they would not be eligible for the Unemployment Board’s Christmas bonus. This was certainly most unfair and, consequently, some of the men—and they could not be blamed—were dodging farm work this week, so that they would not be deprived of the Board’s two weeks’ wages without work. Cr. A. H. M. Bain: That is the way it was last year. It is not fair at all. Cr. R. Brodie: It is encouraging them to stay on relief work. Cr. F. R. Flatman: I think we should try to look after those who are trying to do something for themselves. Cr. Bain; It will mean that farmers will not be able to get labour. Cr. Flatman: Surely the Unemployment Board and the various officials realise that? It would not do to penalise the men to the extent of depriving them of their Christmas bonus when they have been on relief work practically the whole year. The chairman; They said that they would lose their £5 bonus. Cr. Flatman: They should all be on the same footing as those who are at present chipping weeds on the street. The chairman: It seems a shame. It is just encouraging men to stop on the unemployed. Cr. Flatman: Put yourself in their position. If you were going to lose £5 just by doing one week’s non-relief work, would you not do the same? The chairman: If it is wet they will lose the shearing and they will also lose their bonus. The chairman agreed to wait on the local Certifying Officer (Mr L. S. R. King) in regard to the matter, and, if necessary, to make further representations in Timaru to see if the matter could be rectified.