RELIEF RATES OF WAGES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 12 January 1931, Page 4

RELIEF RATES OF WAGES

POSITION OF UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN (By Telegraph—Prew Association) WELLINGTON, 10th January. Resolutions are being passed by different organisations throughout the Dominion criticising the Unemployment Board in regard to rates of wages upon relief works. They are so similar in character that it would appear that they are being adopted as the result of an organised effort. The chairman _ of the Unemployment Board, Mr Smith, said: “The Board itself is not an employer of labour, and is not carrying out any relief works. Relief works are carried out by the Government and local bodies under temporary emergency measures, in which the Board is granting subsidies on wages. The rate of wages to be paid is fixed between the employer and the employee on whatever rate may be arranged, but under the No. 2 scheme the Board is granting subsidies on £1 for £1 only up to seven shillings a day. It is not a function of the Unemployment Board to interfere with the rates of wages being paid by employers. The rates of pay paid by the Government on relief works is a policy matter for the Government, in regard to which the Board cannot interfere.”