LEGISLATION ANOMALIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19945, 23 July 1936, Page 9

LEGISLATION ANOMALIES.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Permit me space to comment on two statements, by two prominent Cabinet Ministers, in your issue of July 20, which if carried into effect will prove to be unfair to a large number of workers, male and female. Firstly, the lion. W. Nash states that the Restoration of Wages and Salaries Bill, which is to be introduced in the House on Wednesday, will apply only to those people who | actually had the cuts imposed on them. There seems to be no benefit in this Bill, for those who lost their positions entirely, and on getting work some months later at the same occupation elsewhere were obliged to take wages which in many cases proved to be 40 and 50 per cent, less than they had been earning before the depression set in. Obviously not having any cuts, In fact, their wages will not be increased, and they must go on living on the depression rates of wages, and yet be expected to pay pre-depression prices for their living costs. It must be admitted that prices are increasing now and that these people must suffer. Secondly, the Hon. R. Semple makes a statement to the effect that the Public Works Department will engage only those from the ranks of the unemployed and would not engage men who had been working as farm labourers. The writer knows of men and boys who, rather than stay in town as relief workers, decided to go on farms until things took up again, in many cases receiving 10s a week, and just carrying on. Are they to be condemned to remain farm labourers because of their decision to help themselves at that time rather than be a charge on the State? 1 wo-Uld like some of your readers to give me their opinion on these anomalies- of our legislators.—l am, etc., ANOMALY. Hamilton, July 21.