PAYMENT OF LEVY

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1932, Page 6

PAYMENT OF LEVY

REQUEST' THAT IT BE WAIVED.

IN CASE OF RELIEF WORKERS.

(Per Press Association — Copyright )

WELLINGTON, August 11

Request that the payment of the unemployment levy by relief workers should be waived on the grounds of hardship, was made to'. % aeting-Mimste-r of" Employment (the Hon. Adam Hamilton), yesterday by a relief workeris’”deputWckrr. 1

The deputation vias received privately, hut an official statiheht’ wad issued subsequently on behalf of the Unemployment BoardVdr 1 /" The Minister said that he could, and did dpjjreciate the' difficulties' 3 of the unemployeddifen, and he assured them of his and the Board’s sympathies - in tlieir troubles. He was quite prepared to help wherever possible, but'had to confess that the 'remission- of the levy ‘ was not an' easy- matter. It might appear, he pointed' Cut, that tnere were many > thousands of 1 employed men who, especially when on rationed work, would receive little more, and sometime less,* ..than those who. were on relief work. These'had not only to pay the quarterly levy,’ but also had to pay the emergency Charge of on© shilling in the £. 5 As a matter of equity,, those persons, would, also have r to be exempted, and the Board’s income would suffer a further, fall. 1 '"/'' v ■/-'/••

He pointed out that, to grant the deputation’s request, would itself mean decreasing- the relief Workers’’ fund by £IOO 000 or more.-' He -also • said there were 1 lega) l difficulties. and ‘‘ tbait- an amendment of'the Act' would be' necessary to !, give effect* tt> the deputation’s request-;" 'V ' :: ■ T'-;■/'•■