GUM LANDS DISTRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 206, 31 August 1926, Page 15

GUM LANDS DISTRESS.

CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter. WELLINGTON, Monday. Referring to a complaint made by Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) on Saturday that the Government had done nothing to relieve distress on the gumknds of the North, Mr. A. Bell stated in the House this evening that the Minister of Public Works had been most generous in assisting to help to find employment for residents in the speaker's electorate. "Early in June,' said .Air. Bell, "I approached tha Minister and asked him for £1200 for publi works in the district, and he granted it Later, he granted two further sums of tlOOO." Even the Leader of the Op->osi tion would not say that he had used his influence as a (Government member to obtain benefits for his electorate. Mr. 11. E. Holland interjected to say ie quite approved, as conditions were bad. Mr. Rell went on to say the Govern merit was not unmindful of the people's needs when £.1200 was voted for works in a district where there were only 1801) nr inno people. Mr. .1. McC'ombs (surprisedly): £3200 for 1000 people? Mr. Bell: And more to come. I feel sure if there is any unemployment in the district now it is not the 'fault of the Government, but my fault for not asking for more. I Mr. J. A. Lee (Auckland East) said the other clay Mr. Bell denied there wns distress in the North, but to-night h& admitted it. While it was permissible lor him to make political capital out of the fact that he had secured thousands for relief of unemployment in his electorate, it was not permissible for the Labour party to urge that something be done for unemployed srenera'ly. If Mr Bell was to be believed he had said tha* the Labour party made political capital out of unemployment, but Mr. Lep wished to assiiro the Government nothing would suit the Opposition betteT than to forego makinar such can ; tal i the Government would only place »" unemployment bi'l on the Statute Boo'The Minister of Labour had said h~ would consider the question of contn" butorv pensions and it seemed lie wouH fro on considering it. The unemployed oou'd not live on consideration, which would no more solve their problems than the 2/ "baby bonus."