RELIEF WORKERS.

Wairarapa Age, 6 July 1932, Page 5

RELIEF WORKERS.

WE,UNATTENDED MEETING last evening.

SEVERAL QUESTIONS DISCUSSED.

Various matters affecting the - welfare of relief workers were discussed at a largely-attended meeting of Masterton unemployed held ; in the Trades Hall last night. Mr. K Judd presided. A letter was received from the National Industrial Council, Wellington, stating that at the recent Open Industrial Conference it was decided to organise the workers engaged on rehet works in line with the trade union movement, and, with that end in view, it was suggested that a national organisation of relief workers he established. The conference was of the opinion continued the letter, that it was necessary to have a national association in order that representations could be made to the Government as the occasion might arise for any or all of the relief workers. The opinion of the Masterton relief workers was asked regarding the four following questions: (1) Is your Organisation in favour of a National Association of Relief Workers being formed, with headquarters in Wellington? (2) Are you in favour of this association working in line with the trade union movement and the New Zealand Labour Party? (31 What representation should foe allowed to the relief workers and the trade union movement on the central council? (4) What capitation fee should be paid to maintain the central organisation? It was decided to consider the questions singly. Opinion was divided on the first Question, one member. who Strong!v i Apposed the formation of a national Association, observing “it is merely cfeFuouflage to gull us into joining something we know nothing about./’ Other members, who took the view that unitv is strength, favoured and stressed the need for a national association and after some discfission it was decided that the Masterton Relief Workers t Association join a federation if one should be formed. Consideration of the other three questions was deferred pending receipt of further details from the Industrial Council. A letter was received from the WairfiTapa Hospital Board in reply to a deputation from the Self Help Clubs of th© Wairarapa which waited on the last meeting of the board asking for a subsidy on the clubs* activities, advising that it had been decided, in view of the announcement that the Unemployment Board was increasing its Dominion allocations by £16,000 a week, that consideration of the deputation’s request be postponed in the meantime. It was reported that the notice had been received from the Masterton Labour Office that all single men will be required to report to the Labour Office before being allotted further relief work of any kind. The Masterton County Council would be closing down most of its road relief work at the end of this month and workers would be well advised to accept any work, whether in town or country, prior to that date. Several married men in the four-day group were required for a camp for farm improvement. The wages would be 35s and found, with no Btand-down week.

It was unanimously decided to return the notice to the Labour Department without consideration. * ’

Notice of motion was given that meetings be held fortnightly in future, instead of monthly as at present. • MORE FUNDS RAISED. RELIEF IN RURAL DISTRICTS. WELLINGTON, July 5. The Government has arranged with the banks for the raising of funds by issuing Treasury hills to enable the Unemployment Board to provide relief in country districts throughout the winter. The estimated increased cost of granting relief in rural areas on somewhat the same basis as that offering in the centres, will be £16,000 a week. As a Result of the present issue of Treasury bills, it is expected that about £220.0! 0 will he made available to the board for the winter. Relief in the country will be continued on the present s ale until about the end of September, when the position will be reviewed in light of conditions at that time and of the outlook for the future ~-»(P.A.)