RELIEVING UNEMPLOYMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16470, 5 July 1921, Page 8

RELIEVING UNEMPLOYMENT.

LABOUR M.P.’s NOT IMPRESSED

Messrs Howard, Sullivan and M’Combs, the three Christchurch Labour members of Parliament, have forwarded the following letter, dated July 3, to the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir Francis Bell): — l< Dear Sir, —\Ve have been watching with considerable interest the herculean efforts to relieve unemployment. According to a statement just published wif note that the torn! number employed on public works for the week « nding June 18 was 5028, and for the week ending June 25 the total was 5257, and that of this total 820 are employed on relief works, leaving a total of 4437 on ordinary Public Works at full rates of pay, as against 5516 employed on Public Works in February, representing a reduction in this one Department alone of 1079 men. “ So the Government’s efforts to relieve unemployment amount to this: The dismissal of 1079 men from one Department, besides hundreds more from' other Departments, and the employment of 820 men—the highest total for one week—-on so-called relief works at reduced rates of pay. The latest facts and figures strengthen our conviction that despite efforts to stabilise wages the Government is deliberately pursuing a policy definitely calculated to reduce the standard of living for tlie wage workers of the Dominion.