CONCESSION GRANTED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 203, 20 April 1932, Page 6

CONCESSION GRANTED

unemployment wage HOURS TO BE DECREASED FROPORTIONATE WITH .. WAGES COMMITTEE'S DECISION The Rotorua Unemployment Rexief committee has not yet received any intimation from the Unemployment Board regarding its attitude toward the representations recently made by the Rotorua relief worlcers for the abolition of the five-day week. Pending receipt of this information, however, the committee has decided to meet the men so far as it is able by agreeing to a reduction in hours proportionate with any reductions in wages whicfi it may be necessary from time to time to malce. The fact that they were compelled to work the same hours for redueed rates of pay, was one of the grievances ventilated by the men at their recent deputation to the chairman of the committee, Mr. T. Jackson, and it is anticipated that the concession made by the committee in this respect will meet the position. Under this new arrangement, which will function from April 25, four-day men drawing 30s will work 24 hours in order to receive that amount, three-day men drawing 30s will work 32 hours, and two-day men drawing 15s will work 34 hours. Only men receiving the maximum amount under the various schemes will be reauired to work a 40-hour week. In any cases where reductions are made owing to shortage of funds, the hours will be adjusted proportionately to the extent of the reduction effected in the wages. District unemployment registrations for the week just past show a further increase and there are indications from the rate at which the list is increasing this week, that a further high level will be reached for the present period. For the week ended Saturday, April 9, the registrations totalled 557, but last wec-k the total closed at 598. Of these, 155 were single men, 276 were married three day men, and 167 _ were married four-day men. Additional vogistrations to yesterday have added apnroximately 50 more to this list. Of last week's list anproximately 450 men were employed under the various unemployment schemes.