£2,250,000 VOTE

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19891, 21 May 1936, Page 9

£2,250,000 VOTE

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF.

MINISTER SPEAKS OUT.

SUSTENANCE BATES.

(By Iclegraph.—Spocml to Times.)

\\'ELLINGTON, Thursday.

The announcement that Cabinet had sanotloned approximately £2,250,000 In edition to ordinary revenue from unemployment taxation, to be devoted to the relie' of unemployment was made by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. I'. Armstrong, when replying to a deputation trom the National unemployed Worker-5’ Movement this morning.

A member of the deputation complained that although prior to the elm-lion the Labour Party had pro—tested against a “means test" yet re—lief workers were sLlll required to flu in forms.

Mr Armstrong replied that many or the objectionable questions had been removed from the two—monthly form and the half—yearly form \\'as to be modified.

"‘Vl:i{éV}sl-ixne Minister. the Right Hon. .\l. J. Savage said more had to be some check on a man‘s slatenlel}t._

Replying to another member of the deputation, Mr Savage said the sus—tenance rules would be increased from June 1 and after thaL they would be increased again as soon as it was humanly posslble to make financial arrangements.

A member of the deputation said there was a move to establish a club so that the unemployed, and particularly the old men. should not have to wand—er about the streets and it was their intention to ask the Minister of Internal Affairs for assistance. Compulsory Glmpl. The deputation also protested against compulsory camps. ltlr Savage said it a man would not do a Job under reasonable conditions he could not set sustenance. There was no Justification for bad conditions. Mr Armstrong said he had condemned the camps when men were sent to work at 105 per week. That. was stopped when the Labour tiovernment came in. lie said the only camp where a low rate was paid was i’arapurnumu when the men received Us till a week and were kept. tie wanted to close it down, hut it was mainly con‘iposed of returned soldiers, who strenuously objected. The men were gradually the—ing‘ placed on public works. ‘ Mr Armstrong said it was untrue ‘thut the increase was the shillings. Everybody had been brought up to the ilevel of relief workers in the city. and they were going to be put up again. A married man with a large family in the city had received an increase of 135, and in the country the increase was 195 a week. The average increase would be more like Ms lid than 55. The Minister added that with an adJustment regarding the limit of private earnings hundreds had been brought within‘ the scope or the act. Prior to the present Government coming into ofllce the réliei workers had not received all the benefits of unemployment taxation, but now they were receiving more than it brought in. He was going to receive £2,250,000. Surely that was a pretty big thing.

There were some people who wnnted as hloh a sustenance allowance no possible, and they never wantod to out. off sustananoo,