WARNING ISSUED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20668, 5 March 1937, Page 8

WARNING ISSUED

RELIEF MUST NOT BE SQUANDERED THREAT OF SUSPENSION By Telegraph—Pi esf Asso'’iation WELLINGTON, March 4. Steps will be taken by the Government to deny relief assistance in cases where recipients are not devoting the money to the support of themselves or their wives or dependants, according to a statement issued by the Minister of Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong). The Minister states that he has been particularly pertubed by representations frequently made to him by reputable citizens that, in some cases, money provided from the Employment Promotion Fund is being misapplied, or, in plain words, squandered on intoxicating liquor.

"Without wishing to infer anything derogatory to our Maori people, for whom I have the utmost respect, the position to which I make reference is unfortunately most noticeable in some districts where the proportion of Maori population is fairly high,” he continues. "I am satisfied that some definite action should be taken to discourage the wasteful expenditure of moneys provided from a fund created to relieve distress consequent on unemployment.” Direct Taxation The fund, he says, is maintained by direct taxation on all sections of the community, so any sane-thinking pers.— must be concerned when the fund's payments were being wastefully expended. "In future, therefore, steps will oe taken to deny relief assistance to Maori and pakeha alike where there is reliable evidence that the recipient is wastefully expending the money instead of applying it for the purpose for which it was granted,” continues the Minister. "Where suspension of relief is decided upon, the applicants will have the right to represent their case to the department, when each case will be decided on its merits and appropriate action will be taken to ensure that any relief granted will be spent in a proper manner.

"The particular circumstances of the Maori are being carefully considered with the object of guarding against the misapplication of relief by introducing orders on suppliers for necessary household or personal commodities. "The present system of cash payments by sustenance allowance is not, in some cases, fully meeting the intentions and spirit of the Act.” STRUCK BY GIRDER WATERSIDEK FATALLY INJURED By Te> •?rR j k Pres.- Association WELLINGTON, March 4. Injured yesterday when struck by a steel girder while working in the hold of the steamer Durham, Gordon Hector Manning, a waterslder, died in hospital last night.