ALL LEVY BOOKS

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20678, 15 October 1932, Page 14

ALL LEVY BOOKS

COLLECTED. .—+ CITY COUNCIL'S ACTION. MAKING SURE THAT PAYMENT IS MADE. In order to make .1 thorough investigation to satisfy l)iim:elf, as agent ■for the employers, Ihe Christchureh City Council, that all workers, permanent and relief, as well as all members of the Council's staff, have paid all their levies under the Unemployment Act, the City Treasurer (Mr J. W. Niven) has had collected .-ill levy hooks. To this action objection is taken by some of the relief workers.

A reporter, who made some enquiries into the matter, whs told by Mr Xiven that one of the reasons for the Council's action was that some of the relief workers had been able to deceive the Council's foremen. Tho worker would produce his book and show, uppermost, the form of receipt for the next ensuing quarter's levy, having turned-back and concealed under the butts, tho form of receipt for the latest quarter due. 3u Home instances the foremen had been deluded into the belief that the workers were • cleat to date.

Levies to be Paid in. Lump Sum. It in intended by the City Council to pay the levies of all its employees in respect of the levy due on November Ist, 11)32, in one lump sum, and deduct the amount of the levy from pay due in the case of each individual. In order 1 hat the benefit of the month of grucc allowed may be obtained, the levy will be deducted, in the case of relief workers, from the pays to be made on Thursday, November 24th, and Saturday, November 26th. Any relief worker who wants to recover possession of his book will be able to get it, after it has been inspected, and after the levy due lias been paid, on applying at the City Council office. Objections of P»elief Workers. Belief workers say that as the result of being deprived of their levy books they may fail to' get oilier than relief work jobs, as the first question a prospective employer asks is "Let me see your levy book." Belief work, they state, is not on the same basis as work paid for at full rates, but is more of the nature of sustenance. In other words, they are expected to look for other work than relief work. Their inability to produce their levy book straight off may mean that they would lose a job. They also question the right j of anyone to detain their books, especiI ally in view of the definite statement printed under the heading "Instructions": "This book is not transferable." The impossibility of the request on the receipt form: "To be filled in by contributor/' is also mentioned.