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Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 183, 1 May 1922, Page 4

A wave of hysteria seems to have swept a certain section of the community, who are at present vigorously engaged in proclaiming to all and sundry the cheering intelligence that unemployment is terribly pronounced in Palmerston North, and that hundreds of citizens are on the verge of starvation (complains the “Standard”). Mr. F. Aisher, the Palmerston North Hospital and Charitable Aid Board’s relief officer, stated to a “Standard” reporter that he was in a position to say that unemployment and cases of genuine distress were by no means general in Palmerston North. Conditions in the district regarding unemployment and hardship were very much exaggerated. Of cadging for money there was a good deal, ho said, and a considerable number of cases which, when investigated, had proved to be nothing more than a sham, had come within his purview. His statements could be proved by the amount of money being expended by the board on relief purposes. A glance at the figures—which he could not reveal without authority—would show that less money was being paid out now than was the case last year. Owing to the central position of Palmerston North, a fair number of men drifted in from other centres, and they either sought work or begged financial assistance. Most of them were outsiders and soon moved on. Mr. Aisher gave our representative an emphatic assurance that, to his certain knowledge, the position concerning unemployment in the town did not warrant any serious thought. Cadging for easy money should hot bo confounded with genuine distress.