UNEMPLOYED RELIEF

Wairarapa Daily Times, 18 June 1931, Page 4

UNEMPLOYED RELIEF

HOSPITAL BOARD’S POSITION. When the question of the proposal to suspend the Unemployment Board’s No. 5 scheme for the relief of the unemployed was raised at the meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board this morning, the chairman, 'Mr W. Fisher, pointed out that the board had curtailed its estimate for charitable aid to the very lowest. “The Government,” he said, “says it cannot find the money to continue. Where are we to find the money, unless we place an extra levy on the ratepayers.” jjC “The position at the present time is acute, aud it is likely to become more so in the next few weeks,” said Mr J. F. Thompson. “In all towns tlietttare people who are practically stricken, and we have got to face the position. I hope this board will do that.” . In reply to Mr Thompson, the chairman stated that the capital expenditure of the board for the coming year -was only £IOO. “When we made our estimates,” said the chairman, “we were practically assured by the Government that it would find the money if the local bodies found the work.” In referring to the fact .that men -employed under the scheme were only given work for several days a week for three weeks each month, Mr Fisher said that it was beyond him how the Government expected the men to live in the fourth week.

“The biggese -strain w r ill be put us during the next ten days,” said Mr Daniell, who added that there would undoubtedly be pressure brought to bear on the Government to continue the -scheme. The secretary stated that no Mfduo strain had been placed on the braid’s funds during the past two months. The amount, he said, expended on relief for the two months had been £195 17s. In reply to Mrs W. H. Jackson, the chairman stated that in -some cases the board paid rents. “It seems to me that rents are the biggest obstacle to the working man,” said Mrs W. H. Jackson. It w r as decided to support other Hospital Boards in their request to the Government to carry on its relief measures. TELEGRAM FROM PREMIER. Mr J. C. Ewington this afternoon received the following telegram from the Prime Minister: —“I have received your telegram and note the representations regarding unemployment. The whole question at present is receiving the earnest consideration of the Government. I hope to make an announcement shortly.”