STANDARD RATES OF PAY

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1928, Page 7

STANDARD RATES OF PAY

FOR UNEMPLOYED

SIR JOSEPH WARDS ANNOUNCEMENT.

WELLINGTON. December 13

There were shouts of “Hear, hear,” when Sir Joseph Ward mentioned the question of unemployment relief rates in the House to-night. Labour members manifesting signs of great interest.

The Prime Minister began by stating that subsidies amounting to £'300,000 were authorised in 1928, and of that amount approximately £125,000 was still available.

“J propose,” said Sir Joseph, 'Ho ask lor an increase of that amount to £IOO,OOO, which means an extra £IOO.000 above the maximum as provided in the existing law. The subsidy is based on a- wages rate of 9s and 12s a day. The Government proposes to employ Ihe whole 0000 men now on public works on Ms a day instead of the 9s and 12s they are now receiving. (“Hear hear,.” from the Labour benches.’) Mr Lnngstonc (Waimarino): Make it IGs.

Sir Joseph said that 14 would he paid in the country, but the rate of 9s and 12s a day would continue to lie paid on relief work in 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 advantages of the conditions. Sir Joseph added that if the local bodies desired, they could make up the 9s and 12s to Us in the city centres, but every one of the 3000 men on railway work would receive 14s. Mr Coates: There is not one railway man on 9s or 12s. You mean Public Works.

Sir Joseph: A difference without i distinction. He went on to say then would Ik: only one proviso, and that was that the men should lie physically lit to perform the work. It was m: use shutting one’s eyes to the fact thal 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, then money ordinarily in circulation becam limited, and the balance of trade and living was disturbed.

Mr H. R. Holland, Leader of the Labour Party : Will you continue subsidies 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 full rates of wag

Mr Samuel (Thames): Does that mean contracts?

Sir Joseph: Well, as a matter of fact, there "ill be both. Mr Sullivan (Avon): Will you give subsidies at the rate of £ for £ ? Sir Joseph : lam not going to give any oil'll and statements. Every case must be considered. Mr Coates: Oh! You are not committing yourself. You are quite safe. Sir Joseph: It would not do for me to Ik* in a position of committing tie right honourable the Leader of the Opposition, for T would commit him to six months without a caution. (Loud laughter.)