THE UNEMPLOYED.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1931, Page 4

THE UNEMPLOYED.

(To the Editor). Sir.—The secretary of the unemployment committee (Mr H. G. F. Coles), in reply to my letter, makes the following statement:—"The process of rationing wa*s to make the money fit the number of men, preference being given to the married men wjtli children.” Now, as the Unemployment Board has fixed the number of days :to which each man is entitled, I contend that the functions of the committee are to give each man (irrespective of whether married, single, or with family) his share of tile money allotted each we’ck by the Board, and not- to juggle with preferences. How does tile committee know whether the men with large families are rot (as they should be) receiving assistance from other sources, and those shown as having no children are not supporting several over the age of 16 at which age they cease to be children and cost nothing to keep according to the Unemployment Board. Mr Coles also gives the following figures for last week :—“Amount required to give full allowance to the men on Borough and ■Hospital, £lO3 6s; money voted by Board, £79; reaving a deficiency of £24 65,” or just on 25 per cent, less than full allowance for each man. And this is ho\y the committee apportioned 2 days men, some. 1 day, some 1-i days { 2 day men, some 1 day, some lJj- days ; 4 day men, some 3 days, some 3£ days. A nice way in . which to make a 25 per cent, reduction all round. The work for next week (December 7th to a-hW

is apportioned in a similar manner. Is the Committee aware that immediately that Board gets wise to the fact that its funds are being, used to pay men doing office work, it w’ll demand a reiund, as happened in the. case of the Auckland committ'.e? I am, etc., SCHEME. 5.