THE UNEMPLOYED

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1926, Page 2

THE UNEMPLOYED

COST OF RELIEF CLAIALED. [bv telegraph —per PRESS association.] AUCKLAND, Septepiber 27. The claim for £1655 18. s 7d was made by the Auckland Hospital Board oil the Government on account of disbursements for unemployed relief was returned to the board by the Department of Health this, evening, with the intimation that while the Government was prepared to meet ,the hoard fairly on the claim it was not prepared to accept full liability for the extra cost caused by the unemployed situation in Auckland. This claim was in respect of relief granted up to July 17. Dr T. H. A. Vnlintine, Director of Health, said that as the hoard was aware it was the function of the board to grant relief to those requiring assistance in its district and the department by way of subsidy, contributed approximately half of such relief. The crime Minister had informed the Alinister of Health, the Honourable J. A. Young, that as far as lie could remember no understanding was arrived at that the Government would indemnify the board for the full amount, but it had been agreed that the Government would meet the hoard in a fair way. The chairman (Mr A\'. Wallace) said ho had met tho Prime Alinister, who had asked if the hoard would deal with all unemployment relief. Air Coates had said the Government would be responsible for any expenditure incurred outside of ordinary relief. Air Wallace also said the calls for relief were still large and the total expenditure was now about £3OOO. The relief committee was- dealing with about 203 eases at present. Air E. H. Potter said an undertaking had been given that the Government would bpfir the cost of all relief above ordinary expenditure. The board decided to forward to the department the information asekd for. It was also decided to renew the claim.