“STARVATION WAGES”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 126, 18 August 1927, Page 15

“STARVATION WAGES”

FARMERS AND UNEMPLOYED GOVERNMENT’S DUTY At the recent Dominion conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, held in Wellington, a resolution was passed supporting the attitude of the Government toward the unemployment problem. The Auckland provincial executive of the union desires to disassociate itself from this resolution. At Tuesday evening’s meeting of the executive a more comprehensive resolution was put through, stating that it was the duty of the Government to overcome as far as possible the causes of unemployment, and, where through no fault of their own men were thrown out of work, it was considered that work of a remunerative nature should be found for them. Considerable argument centred around the rates of pay to the unemployed. “I consider that the present rates of pay to the unemployed are little more than starvation wages,” said Mr. W. Lee Martin. Mr. Allen: Half a loaf is better than none. Mr. Martin: Not if it saps a man of his very vitality. Men were leaving the relief jobs, he said, as they could not earn enough to keep themselves in food. It was especially hard for married men. Something had to be said for the other side, said the president, Mr. A. A. Ross. If the men were paid full rates then the jobs, many of which were not being administered with a view to economy, but rather to giving an excuse for employing the men, would become too attractive, and the men would not have any reason for seeking work elsewhere when it offered. “I quite agree with the president that there would be no end to it if the full rates of wages were paid,” said Captain Colbeck. Where work of a permanent and necessary nature was being undertaken, contended Mr. Martin, full wages should be paid. ‘‘New Zealand is not wringing with wealth,” said Mr. Rushworth. It was for the Government to get to the cause of the trouble and remove it. The resolution already outlined, moved by Mr. Martin, was carried unanimously.