WORKERS’ COMPENSATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 263, 4 October 1933, Page 9

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION.

BASIS OF RELIEF. OPPOSITION SEEKS CHANGE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 3. Mr H. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, in introducing the Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives this afternoon, said it gave the right for compensation not exceeding £4 weekly to those engaged on relief and intermittent work, to be based on the principle of a full week’s earnings at the daily rate of pay. He pointed out that, under the present law, relief workers’ compensation would be based on the average weekly earnings, which might not amoufit to more than one or two days’ wages. This gave rise to grave injustices, and he urged that the provision which applied to wharf labourers, entitling compensation to be based on the full week’s wages, should be applied to all WorkersHe added that since the commencement of the depression there had been a large increase in the numbers of men working broken time, particularly in the coal industry. He asked the Government to take up the Bill as a Government measure, because, under the standing orders, it could not go through the House as a private member’s Bill. Messrs Parry, Samuel, Lee, Stallworthy, Semple, Richards and Howard spoke in support of the Bill. Hon. A. Hamilton said compensation had to be based on the wages earned. If any better basis could be suggested, he would be glad to hear of it. He added that compensation for relief workers was based on their earnings from other sources in addition to their payments from the Unemployment Fund. The Government at tlie present time was investigating the possibility of paying out on a more liberal scale than the law permitted, especially with regard to relief workers permanently disabled. Mr Holland, replying, suggested that the Minister should consult with members of the Opposition with a view to ascertaining whether it would be possible for the Government to take up his Bill.