MUST BE STOPPED.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20280, 24 August 1937, Page 2

MUST BE STOPPED.

RELIEF FUND FRAUDS QOVIRNMKNT’S INTENTIONS FARM LABOUR PROBLEM (By Teleffrapu.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. “ It is the firm intention of the Government to obtain the best possible results from the substantial expenditure on relief work and other benefits for the unemployed,” said the actlngMinlster of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, in a statement to-night. “ This is as essential to the welfare of the recipients themselves as it is to contributors to the Employment Promotion Fund. Labour for Farms. j “ There have been complaints re- ' cently from different parts of the • Dominion that difficulty was being experienced in inducing recipients of rel lief to accept available farm work", and other occupations In country districts,” ; the Minister continued. “ I have gone carefully Into the position and have no hesitation In saying that the Government oannot and will not continue the payment of relief to anyone who, without valid reason, has refused an offer of such work or made any misrepresentations to obtain relief or evade employment. !“ It Is to be regretted that misrepresentations so far this year have been j fairly numerous, showing a rising ten- • dencv each month until at the end of (June the total was 1547 cases., involving £7955. That cannot be allowed , to go on In any circumstances. | “It Is beyond question that the Government has done its part In making ‘conditions incomparably better for re- | lief workers and unemployed gener'ally than they were at any time during the depression. Improvements have been numerous over a wide field of distribution.” Mr Webb instanced improvements the Government had instituted. He emphasised that such rates were not fixed for any men who were not willing to accept the available employment. “ I desire to make It clear,” the Minister said. ” that it is not intended that any men. through acceptance of farming work, should be penalised through being deprived of more remunerative or more attractive work which they would have enjoyed had they not accepted country work. An Equal Opportunity. “ Special provision is to be made to meet such cases, so that when any Government work is inaugurated for the relief of unemployment those eligible men who have accepted farming work in the meantime will have the right of making application for Government work. Their names, together with those of the remaining fit men, will be put Into a ballot box and a draw made. This democratic method of selection will give all an equal opportunity of obtaining any advantage available.”

The Minister added that he hoped all recipients of relief would appreciate the fact that his statement represented the serious intention of the Government that in future any man who, without good and sufficient reason. refused any work which, in the opinion of the Labour Department, was considered to be reasonable and for which a man was suited, could not expect sympathetic consideration of his subsequent request for a continuation for reinstatement of relief bene-