Standard Rates

Evening Star, Issue 20049, 14 December 1928, Page 2

Standard Rates

CONCESSION TO UNEMPLOYED 14/- ON AIL PUBLIC WUiti It roil Oun Parliambxtart Reporter T WELLINGTON, December 13. There were shouts of “Hear, hear” when Sir Joseph Ward mentioned the question o’i unemployment . relief rates in the House to-night, the Labour member;, manifesting signs of great interest. The Prime Minister began stating that subsidies amounting to £300,000 were authorised in 1928, and of that amount approximately £125,000 was still available. “I propose,” said Sii Joseph, “to ask for an increase of that amount to £400,000, which means an extra £IOO,OOO above the maximum as provided in the existing law. That subsidy is based on a wages rate of 9s and 12s a day.’ The Government proposes to employ tho whole 3,000 men now on Public Works on 14s a day instead of the 9s and 12s they arc now receiving (‘ Hear, hear,’ from the Labour benches).” Mr Langstone (Waimarino): Make it 16s. Sir Joseph said that 14s would bo paid in the country, but the rate of 9s and 12s a day would continue to bo paid on relief work in the cities. It was the Government’s desire to draw the unemployed out of the cities into the country. If 14s were paid in the cities men would flock in from the country to take advantage of the conditions. Sir Joseph added that, if the local bodies desired, they could make up the 9s and 12s to 14s in the city centres, but every one of the 8,000 men on railway work would recAvo 14s. Mr Coates: There is not one railway man on 9s or 12s.' You mean Public Works. Sir Joseph: A distinction without a difference. He went on to say there would bo only one proviso—and that was that the men should be physically fit to perform the work. It was no use shutting one’s eyes to the fact that, if married men were reduced to a rate on which they could not live, then someone had got to pay. The moment earning capacity was limited, money ordinarily in circulation became limited, and the balance of trade and living was disturbed. Tho Labour Leader (Mr Holland): Will you continue subsidising to local bodies ? Sir Joseph: When they are required. The really great demand is in winter time, and we-are getting ready now to absorb men at the full rates of wages. Mr Samuel (Thames): Does that mean contracts ? Sir Joseph: Well, as a matter of fact, there will be both. Mr Sullivan (Avon): Will you give subsidies at the rate of £ for £P Sir Joseph: I am not going to give any offhand statements. Every case must be considered. Mr Coates; Ob, you are not committing yourself. You are quite safe. Sir Joseph: It would not do for m« to be in tho position of committing the Right Hon. Leader of the'Opposition, for I would commit him to six months’ without a caution.—(Loud laughter).