UNEMPLOYED RELIEF.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18795, 17 November 1932, Page 8

UNEMPLOYED RELIEF.

THE HOLIDAY PERIOD. WAGES TO BE PAID. WELLINGTON, Wednesday j A substantial Christmas box to tti?"unemployed of the Dominion and their dependants will be made by the Unemployment Board as a result of its decision to pay wages on the usual scale for two weeks during the Christmas and New Year period, although the men will not be required to work. J The board’s decision settles the fears recently expressed in Parliament that relief workers would be stood down during the holiday period and would lose their wages for two or three weeks. Actually, relief workers will receive their usual wages and will be free to accept such other work as Is available at that period, such as gatesmen at race meetings and similar positions. The Unemployment Board has recently been expending its funds at the rate of about £90,000 a week. However, funds are still said to be in a comparatively healthy state. Registrations have recently shown a slight drop, while early this month it was decided to make a cut of approximately 10 per cent, in expenditure. It is understood that the combined factors have resulted in reducing outgoings to about £82,000 a week, and with the advancement of summer it is hoped to cut the expenditure to a considerably lower level. Basing the calculation on present expenditure the Unemployment Board’s decision regarding Christmas arrangements will represent the payment of over £160,000 for which no return in work will be asked.