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Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1932, Page 4

The new scale for unemployment, indicates that the Government i.s making a further effort to met a very difficult situation. The remuneration now offered is an advance on the previous possible earnings, and affords a degree of relief which will be appreciated by the genuine unemployed. Single men under the expiring scheme could not get more than six days at nine shillings in a four \yeeklv period. Unfortunatelv money 'available wats so limited that the days had to lie limI it-ed often to four and sometimes to three in a month. Under the new ’Scheme to start next month single men wi 1 lie nai-d 1 sweekly without any stand down period, so that £3 may uc earned in the month, in lieu of ;C2 Its- possible before. In the case of married men, the new scheme will give tliem £6, £6, £7 or £8 per month according to the number of children in the family. In the B. class before, a married man was allowed (up to two children) 3 days at 12s 6d each week for three weeks and then to stand down. Here again funds were often restricted, and men of this class could not earn more than £3 Ids a month though entitled to £5 I2p 6d had full time been possible. The B. class of former times i." now divided into three, sections: —Married men without children, £l. 5 a week or £3 in the month; with one child, £1 10s a week, or £6 per month ; and with two children, £1 los per week, or £7 per month. The last scale of all, is the married man with three or more children. Hi,s former allottment previously was £2 10s a week for three weeks, if the money wag available, but mostly he had to ho content with £1 17s 6d or less per week for three weeks out of earn month. Xow as against a possible £7 10 per month, his sra'c will he £2 per week, or £8 for four weeks. Practically. therefore, there is a gain for each, class of unemployed, and that is evidence of the desire on the part ot the authorities to help as far as possible. Again, and in fact now more than ever, the obligation is on the local bodies controlling the Xo. 3 scheme, to pee that the expenditure is on remunerative lines, and having a present or prospective value to the communitv.