§ 3. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the amount of benefit or relief paid to a man, woman, and child respectively, in Newfoundland?
Mr. M. MacDONALDRelief in Newfoundland is given in kind and not in money, and is intended to supplement the natural resources of fish, game, vegetables, poultry and fuel that are available to the people in most parts of the Island. Those in need of assistance are given orders on local storekeepers for foodstuffs and other commodities. In the outports the cost per head, which is the same for a man, woman and child over five years, is approximately $2 a month apart from the free distribution of vegetables and fuel in districts where this is necessary. In St. John's City, where the residents have not the same natural resources, the cost per head ranges from $6.40 a month in the case of a family of three to an average cost of $4 a month in the case of members of larger families. These scales represent substantial increases since the Commission of Government took office.
§ Mr. MAXTONWas there not a money payment made before the Commission of Government took office, for unemployed men, and that now the Commissioners have reduced unemployment benefit to a payment in kind, I think, of 8s. a month.
Mr. Mac DONALDI understand that the method of payment has not been changed since the Commission took over office, and that the value of the relief given in kind shows a substantial increase upon what was given before the Commission came into being.
§ Mr. McGOVERNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a statement was made in this House that they were actually paid money, previous to the rioting which took place against the scales, and does he not think that to change to payment in kind is asking for further trouble of a very serious nature in Newfoundland?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise out of the answer.