Maori Relief Workers.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 19346, 1 March 1935, Page 3

Maori Relief Workers.

QUALIFICATION QUESTION. THE BOARD'S POLICY. EXPLANATION BY MINISTER. The policy of the Unemployment Board in dealing with Maori applicants for relief work was explained in the House of Representatives last week by the Acting-Minister for Employment, Sir Alexander Young. The Minister was asked by Mr. E. T. Tirikatene (Ind., Southern Maori) if he would authorise the Unemployment Board to reinstate those natives who were now disqualified as contributors to the fund,, with a view to their receiving relief. Because they had been unable to receive relief and to pay the levy, the natives had applied for, and had been granted, exemption. Later, applications had been made for permission to contribute to the fund; but the natives concerned had been advised that they would be unable to qualify again. The Minister explained that the board's policy was to admit as contributors to the fund any nativeswho, on application for admission, were found to be in need of relief. Some applications were received from natives who had no possibility of subsequently qualifying for unemployment relief, and who, if they were admitted as contributors and were not granted relief, would not continue to pay the unemployment levy. Applications of this class were not approved by the board. Niv Tirikatene apparently had certain specific cases in his mind; but these could not be investigated without further particulars being supplied.