APPROVAL GIVEN TO SCHEME.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 256, 10 August 1933, Page 6

APPROVAL GIVEN TO SCHEME.

COUNCIL HAD TO TAKE STAND. MORE OF A POLICY MEASURE. * Reference to the camp scheme was made at the meeting of the Ashburton Local Unemployment Committee this afternoon by the chairman (Mr W. H. Woods), who gave a report of the discussion by the Works Committee of the Ashburton County Council last Monday, terminating in a decision xo withdraw the wood-cutting contracts till the camps are filled. Mr Woods said he appreciated the difficulties of the Committee ana added that the question seemed to be more of a policy measure. The Government had not taken a very definite stand about it. The Minister had stated that married men would not he forced into the camps. What that meant had not been explained, but it had placed an obstacle in the way. The Committee should stand by the County Council and express approval of the scheme. Many of the men, if left to themselves, would be all right and would man the camps. He had inspected the huts and he found them to be excellently equipped. Perhaps the Committee could ascertain definitely what attitude the Board took in the matter. In reply to Mr W. Bryant, the Mayor said it was possible for the County Council to fill the camps with r.ie.-i outside Ashbnrton, but that would be a slight on the Ashburton men. which no one Avanted to make. Mr G. Kelly explained why the Council had decided upon the camp scheme, and said that there was not a "Teat deal of wood-cutting yet to be done. The Council regretted the action it had to take, but it had to take a stand. ' He moved the following motion :

"That this committee is of Opinion that the County Council camp scheme for relief workers, approved by the Minister of Employment, is for work, which on completion, will bo of considerable value for all time, and which cannot fail to provide a return for the money spent thereon. "That, with the completion of work near Ashburton, it is impracticable to transport men long distances daily to

and from the proposed works, and that it is therefore necessary for the men to camp on the locality of the wiork; that the huts which have been provided are comfortable and suitable in every respect for the purpose. "That the wages and allowances offered are far in excess of ordinary relief pay. "That thc,_CQinmittco therefore regrets the decision of the workers to decline work in these camps and is strongly of opinion that the higher wages offered should be an incentive to the men to accept work, not only in their own interests, but also in the interests of their wives and families." Mr W. G. Gallagher seconded the motion. Mr A. Prentice said that a man on the Waitaki works was making less than if he was on the Ashburton camp scheme. The motion was carried unanimously. It was decided to ask the Unemployment Board for a definite ruling concerning the refusal of the relief workers to go into camp. The question of purchasing blankets for the use of men going to camp was held over pending,the board's reply.