ADJUSTED WAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1932, Page 5

ADJUSTED WAGE

FOR RELIEF WORK

STATEMENT BY MINISTER.

By Telegraph—Per Press Association )

WELLINGTON, April 22

The abolition of the stand-down week in unemployment relief, with tile intention that the registered unemployed should be provided, as far as available funds permit, with work and reiief every week, was announced to-night by the Minister for Unemployment, Mr Coates. The change will date from May Ist. Hitherto all unemployed have stood down one week in each four weekly period, and a considerable burden has been thrown on Hospital Boards in that week. There will be no attempt to standardise the eondit'ons and methods of administering relief hi all places, Mr Coates said. A certain amount of latitude will be allowed in making local arrangements to suit local needs. The weekly basis of payment, which will be adjusted occording to requirements, will be as follows: Single men—two days’ work los per week, Married meil, without children—-two and a-llnlf days’ wot’k, £l os per week, Married men with one child—-three days’ work, £1 10s per week. Married men with two children—three and a-half days’ work, £1 15s per week, Married men with three or mere children—four days’ work, £2 per week.

POSITION IN AUCKLAND. DEFINITE DEMAND MADE. AUCKLAND, April 22. A definite demand that pickets be called off has been made by Mayor Hutchison, and the committee which this week has been discussing with representatives of the Unemployed Workers’ Association, the settlement of the relief workers’ strike. The Council of the Association is now considering the position, the ecommitte having declined to resume negotiations or, to forward its findings to the Government, until an assurance i: given that the men who desire to return to work will not be prevented by intimidation. The Mayor added that the committee had considered carefully the Unemployed Association’s proposals, and agreed upon its findings on various points. This morning he had been informed by Mr Coates that details of the new rates of pay would be retoon asTlTe’Cabinet was able to meet. Since Thursday bight’s riot there has been no trace of Jfitnfej Henry Edward, Communist leader, whom the police allege led the rush of the crowd to the Town Hall on the occasion of the P. nnd T, Association meeting last week. He was the first to fall batoned and was later treated at the cnsnnllv ward, after which lie left the hospital and disappeared.