A FIRM STAND

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1933, Page 6

A FIRM STAND

means of relief workers

INVESTIGATIONS MUST GO ON

Wellington. February n

-An allegation that in numerous instances, as revealed by investigation, relief workers had purchased , wiroles-s sets and nianos was made by the Hon. A. Hampton in the House to-uay, when declaring that it would not be in the interests of the unemployed or the general taxopayer to diwontinue perkotoD investigations into the means of relief workers.

The question was raised by Mr Jones (Dunedin South), who invited the Minister to take immediate,' step, s to stop invpsticratoTS from visiting the homes of relief workers whilst th n y ware at work and asking their wives (mentions as to how many rooms were furnished, how many lodgers there were, whether the room,* were let. whether tin - * home possessed a wireless set or piano and th t , age of the woman. It wa.s reoorted thM in Dined in mvcsti gators were going round asking isneh oue.stions.

Mr Parrv (Auckland Onfvsß : ‘'Don't thev ask “How many teeth ft” The Speaker : Order, order!

NECESSARY INFORMATION. Tlip Minister replied that since th e Unemployment Act came into operat’(>i the practice Iv’d been followed ot asiVing applicants for relief work to fill in forms showing whether th°v were maintaining homes. and aLo the number and age of children dependent upon them, and other particulars ns to their financial position. “This -inform 0 - thiu.” Mr Hamilton continued, ‘‘is necessary in order to determine the extent to which annlicants are edible for employment. Experience has shown that in a, considerable number of instances the particulars supplied were not correct, and it'waY found necessary to "icikp ijnvef+igat'ons so that thev could he verified. As a matter of .fact many raises have occurred where an apnlicant claimed that be bad a wife and family hut inquiries showed he had not made any nayments towards their maintenance , for a considerable ■period.” WIRELESS' SETS AND PI'ANOS“In numerous instances,” the M in 3 - ter. added, "it has been found that wireless sets, pjanos, etc., have been purchased on the time-payment system, and in other cases, on straight-out payment, while the men were on relief work, and 'some of those men have produced acifmnit® from (butchers, grocers, etc., in .support of thei v contention that they .were unable to purchase the necessaries of life.. It is not considered that it would he in the interests either of relief workers or the taxpayers generally to cease investigations.”'

Mr .Tones: What has the »ffe' a man’s wife to do with it? Mv Parry '(Auckland Central) : 1 wonder whether sheepowner s are to be searched like that?

The Speaker: Order, order; T will have to deal with the member for Auckland Central. He cannot disregard all the laws of the House..