RENT SUBSIDY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1933, Page 6

RENT SUBSIDY

FOR UNEMPLOYED WORKERS.

URGED BY.CONFERENCE. WAIPUKURAU, May 25. A representative conference of lo.al bogdies, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Unemployed Association,-con-vened I)}’ the Mayor, and held las's evening, passed a resolution that, m the interests ■ of unemployed worKers, and the security of tenure or their homes the Government be recommended to find ways of subsidising at lease 50 per cent, of rental or interest payments, say within a limit of’ 10s to married men with no children, 12s 6d to men with not more than two ciiildren, and 15s to men with three or more children, the higher scales to he contingent on housing providing not less than three and four rooms respectivel3 r , and the payment, to be direct to the landlord or mortgagee, who is re-/-qiiired to file an application for such supplementary assistance in joint association with the worker and wife. For saj - , 40,000 workers, entitled to an average of 10s wekly, iho burden would be £20,000. . “That, until the Board is able to pay all unemployed on the lull announced basis,.ail schemes, small farm plans, etc., involving relief money for capital work, he discontinued.”

The opinion of the meeting was -that unemployment moneys should nor be used in settling men on tlie land, but solely for . the relief of distress and unemployment. All schemes, except No. 5 should lie cut out until functioning equitably throughout tlie country, and that the Hoard’s attention be drawn to the disparity between tlie amounts paid to workers of Waipukurau town and country, compared with larger centres. Tim position is urgent as little seasonal wor>; is obtainable.