RELIEF WORKERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 260, 2 November 1932, Page 9

RELIEF WORKERS.

"BORDER-LINE" CASES. SUCCESS OF SPECIAL CAMP; WORK SUITED TO THE MAN. IMPROVEMENT m HEALTH. (From Our-Own Correspondent.)' PAEROA, Tuesday.

There has lately been a controversy in Auckland concerning the provision— or lack of provision—made under the Unemployifient Act for those unemployed men who are "border-line" cases, being unfit for ordinary relief work in the country, but yet not qualified for assistance by the Hospital Board.. In Faeroa there is a relief camp—the only 'one of; ; its kind in New Zealand —where some of these "border-line" cases, amongst others, are living under excellent conditions, in buildings lentby-the Ohinemuri Jockey Club.

The chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council, Mr. W. Marshall, who was responsible for the inception of the camp, said that of the 82 men in the camp nearly all had been examined by a doctor of the Auckland-Hospital Board and certified by Mm aa fit for-Ught camp work. "As a result of experience gained the doctor now: sends a note to me if he deems it desirable that any man should.not- be given, work .which, may j affect any disabSity from which he may be suffering," said; Mr. Marshall. "A notice is posted in the camp requesting any man to Report immediately if he "is given work which he considers may ; be particularly harmful to him. Maximum Of ioo Men. "The camp has been established about two months, commencing with a few men and gradually increasing to the number stated. A further 18 men will be accepted this week, making a" total .of 100, and this number will be "tine maximum ~-l

Mi% Marshall said the work the men , were doing consisted of farm improvements under the "over the fence scheme," and earth works on roads in the Ohinemuri county. Some few acres, of light ■ scrub and blackberries on the racecourse '■' property was being cut and cleared before being ploughed in return for the use of the club buildings. The men who were least fit for work were started ' there, and if they improved they were then drafted to outside work.. Two men were constantly cutting firewood,sand a qualified chef and three assistants provided meals and kept the large dining room clean. A qualified St. John Ambulance man and first-aid equipment were always in the camp. This man was responsible for the cleanliness-and sanitation of the camp buildings and conveniences, which were inspected daily by Mr., Marshall himself; If a man reported sick and developed any rise above normal temperature, he was immediately isolated and properly attended to. Dr. Vivian, of, the Auckland Hospital Board, had kindly visited the camp twice in company with officers, of the Labour Department, . and had seen a large number of the men each time, and he had handed to Mr. Marshall notes on each case for guidance in dealing with the men generally. This was a valuable professional service rendered by the doctor gratuitously in a spirit of sympathetic helpfulness. .

Accommodation and Reefeation. The buildings are airy and spacious with ■more than adequate eanitary arrangements up to modern Health Department arid borough by-law standard; These have all been carefully inspected by an inspector of the Health Department. There are four shower and two plunge baths, and arrangements for boiling water for bathing and washing. Strict rules for personal cleanliness are willingly observed. • The men in rheir own time are planting a fair area in vegetable gardens, and for their amusement they have>a -wireless set, a ping-pong set, a bobs set and rope quoits.. Several enjoy a game of cricket, and, Mr. Marshall said that if anyone could donate cricketing-gear it would be greatly appreciated. "Given an interest in Life." . "Quite a number of the men," said Mr. Marshall, "are definitely..what, might be called border-line cases, about whom it j i»-*-4ueetipn. wiener they_ should J»-*J

charged on the Hospital Board or the Unemployment Board. Some, of them would present.a problem under our economic system even in normal times, and fsome of them are suffering from -war injuries. I am personally interested in the enterprise because I have long been of . the opinion that some effort should be made to rehabilitate men who, through physical disability, are unable to hold their own in the hurly-burly of life, and that some niche could' be found, under proper organisation, for those who for similar reasons never can succeed,.so that they could be given an interest in life. This phase

Careful Check on Health. "A register is being kept on the card system of each man entering camp, with his health classification and doctor's notes. His behaviour and progress arc noted, and it is pleasing to be able to say that in some cases definite improvement can be seen. One man, for in-stance,'-came to us a.week after leaving hospital following an operation; he was certainly unfit for work, and would have been sent back to Auckland, but he said he had asked to come, and begged to be allowed to remain. He said he was getting better every day, and wanted to earn some money to send to his dependents. He was nursed for ten days, and then given light work, : and though still ;weak shows a decided improvement.

"Another had been injured in the back and had not worked for a year, but was determined to try, though the doctor said that he was hardly fit for it. For a time it seemed that he not be able to stand up to it, but a certain amount of rest and daily massaging (given, by a fellow worker who has had some experience of that work) and persistence in light work are having a beneficial effect.

"Other stories could be told, some of them indicating a-developing return to self-respect and-an effort to uphold the reputation of the camp and its members. An effort is being made to deal 'with the men.as individuals. They are ■ doing useful wdrk and generally making the best of circumstances, and the rod of discipline is the penalty of having to leave the camp. There is a foreman in charge,-and-a committee of-the men with their own chairman, who cooperate ... fully,.and frankly, and render me valuable assistance, so that the beet of. relationshin-exiate.'? J