MUST HELP THEM

Evening Star, Issue 20049, 14 December 1928, Page 3

MUST HELP THEM

. SIR JOSEPH ON UNEMPLOYED RISE TO STANDARD WAGE MEANS £156,000 [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, December 14. A joint note was sent by the Auckland members, Messrs Fletcher, Munns, and Jenkins, to the Premier, asking him to give.. consideration to the position of Auckland unemployed. The answer came from Sir _ Joseph Ward in the House early this morning. “ P say we .will treat Auckland with the same consideration as we have treated Christchurch already, and are prepared to treat cases of tho kind in any part of the country. We know we have unemployed about, and we make no bones about helping them.” Mr Fraser: Has not this matter been raised by the Auckland Labour members, too ? Sir Joseph Ward: Yes.' all the Auckland members are doing their best.. I would not withhold credit from any of them. Answering an interjection ’that all relief workers be paid full rates, Sir Joseph Ward asked his questimier to give a chance to a Ministry which had not had the time, to breathe. It should bo realised that the cost of putting the' 3,000 men on Public Works up to ‘standard rates was £150,000 per annum, and no provision was made for this until tho new Government took office. ‘. Mr' Coates: The definitely voted for . that. It is the only ihing to do now. .