UNEMPLOYED.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 21, 17 October 1929, Page 7

UNEMPLOYED.

A letter over the norn de plume "Bill tlie Ccnqueror" appeared last week in our correspondence column which contained the imputation against the Council of paying 9/- and 12/- a day respectively to single and married men on relief works.

We have made enquiries into this matter from t>he Borough Council and find that practically the whole of the work provided for under-the £4000 and £6800 loans, save tarring work, whiuh must await summer weather, is completed, all men engaged upon it having been paid full AwaTd rates. The explanation of the 9/- and 12/- rate is as follows:—During the winter of 1927 Government provided certain works for the relief of unemployment at the rates quoted, two of these works being situated in this borough. Government specified the rate. and paid for the work. Most of the men, both married and single, were sent in by the Labour Department under arrangement with. Government for these works, but a few of the men employed were resident in the borocg-h. Those men from "Wellington received 2/3 per week extra to covei train fares. The Borough residents swere a few single men who wouid have^ been unable to obtain employment.

The period during which . this arrangement was in force was from July 30th, 1927 to December 10th. 1927 only. These men were employed on Government works, supervised by the Council.

. No men, except "B "' .Class men, iiave been "fempJoyed on works paid foidut of "Bo -Vvgh monies at less than aw&td 'rates, the rate'usually paid being above the Award rate. -Certain men/who, by reason of age or physical incapacity, are unable to perform a reasonable day's work, are classed as "iB J* workers and as such are provided when possible with work of lighter nature at a rate of 12/- per day, usually by arrangement with the Hospital and Charitable Aid.Board. -' ■

We t>hink it will be readily admitted that the Council cannot expend public in wages knowing that value is not being obtained for the, Expenditure, and this principle has been adopted since the only alternative is to refuse Ito employ "B" Class men at all.

' Whilst the Council has at all times done everything possible to relieve unemployment it is its general desite t«> see every man in permanent employment and if this can be effected, by the Prim 3 Minister's soheme, the Council will be gratified, for it is definitely of the opinion that relief works are a palliative and not a solution of the problem.