SUSTENANCE PAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 108, 9 May 1934, Page 6

SUSTENANCE PAY

PALMERSTON N. CIRCULAR. NO SUPPORT FROM PATEA. COUNTY COUNCIL OPINIONS. Admiration of the manner in which the Unemployment Board was carrying out its work, was expressed by the chairman (Mr. W. G. Belton) at the monthly meeting of the Batea County Council yesterday. These remarks were made in connection with the receipt of a circular letter from the Palmerston North City Council, outlining a public protest meeting objecting to the payments being made under the sustenance system by the Unemployment Board. In expressing his sympathy with the unemployed, Mr. Belton stated that in his knowledge of Mr. .Tessep and the Unemployment Board, the unemployed of the Dominion had their practical sympathy, and the speaker had only admiration for the manner in which Mr. Jessep was carrying out a thankless and difficult task. The tact that four and a-half millions were realised in unemployed taxation in the Dominion indicated the seriousness of the problem, and that the public were do ing a great deal to assist their unfortunate brethren. Apart from this, however, the problems of administration had brought to light the realisation that some districts were more difficult than others. Every district’s local bodies had to bear a certain amount of responsibility, particularly in urban areas. In the country it was up to county councils and other local bodies to give assistance by accepting responsibility. If every county did this, there would be evidence of actual help to the unemployment problem, which would not then get out of hand and beyond us, and would prevent a further levy of taxation up to six millions. After further discussion and a resolution by the council that support could not he given to the circular letter from Palmerston North, the chairman stated that there were many kicks coming to a man or men in the position of members of the Unemployment Board. People were too often kicking instead of realising their own responsibility. Either this had to he done or heavier taxation imposed, either individually or through local bodies. Mr. B-clton suggested that it would be an improvement to appoint inspectors from the board to inspect the payment of levies and taxes, wages books, and to see that an equal return in work was being given for payment. RESOLUTION SUPPORTED. [Per Press Association. 1 PALMERSTON N., May 8. To accept the sustenance scheme for unemployed under protest, and to support the resolution passed *by citizens of Palmerston North at a recent public meeting condemning the introduction of such payments, was the decision of the Kairanga County Council to-day, when the Department of Labour notified that the scheme was to operate in regard to county workers. The Manawatu County Council also passed a resolution supporting the Palmerston North protest, with councillors expressing the opinion that the Government’s move was ‘‘wicked and paving th-e way for a revolution. ‘ *