“DEGRADING” DOCUMENT

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 714, 18 March 1933, Page 10

“DEGRADING” DOCUMENT

Protest Against Questions Put to Unemployed. A strong protest against the questionnaire being issued at the present time to all unemployed has been forwarded by the Canterbury Trades’ and Labour Council to the Minister of Employment (the Hon Adam Hamilton). “ We are of the opinion.” states the council s letter, “ that it is degrading to the unemployed worker to ask for personal and family information before he is entitled to the meagre work and sustenance that is given. Questions are asked regarding relatives who are not seeking or getting Government assistance, and are by no stretch of imagination the business of the board. These questions, if answered by the unemployed, must in numerous cases result in creation of a bad spirit between relatives and the disruption of the home. 44 We understand that these questionnaires have to be filled in each two months, and the cost alone of the printing and distribution must be enormous and will swell considerably the administration costs of the board, which are quite too high now. The council is also very concerned as to whether the documents themselves, when completed and returned to the department, are regarded as strictly confidential, especially as applying to the information required in regard to the families of relief workers. 44 There are instances reported of inquiries being made by officers of the Department from the employers of relief workers’ children for the purpose of supplementing the information supplied. This the council regard as a serious matter for the reason that in some cases it might result in the dismissal of relief workers’ sons and daughters from their employment. The council further regards it as quite unnecessary for the Department to seek this information regarding relief workers’ families, and would be interested to know for what purpose you require it.”