NOT APPROVED

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 110, 3 February 1931, Page 13

NOT APPROVED

Upper Hutt Subdivision

Disappointment was expressed at last night’s meeting of the Upper Hutt Borough Council that the Unemployment Board had refused to sanction, as an tinemployed work, the subdivision by the convent authorities of certain land in the borough. It was submitted that it was work that would not benefit any individual owner, but be of. benefit to the orphans of the district, and to the borough. The question is to be submitted again to the board. , Surprise was expressed by Councillor W. Greig at the refusal of the Unemployment Board to authorise the subdivision. “Men in the borough,” he said, want work. The benefit will go to the orphans of the district. -Nobody, is getting any private benefit out of it.” , „ “Were 1 a member of the board, said the Mayor, Mr. P. Robertson, I must say I would have refused the application. It is a very delicate matter. A private concern dropped it'owing to lack or money ,and is now taking advantage of the Unemployment Board. The construction of a road at Lowry Bay, applied for by the Eastbourne Borough Council, was also turned down for the same reason.” . . . , , “I don’t believe in the .principle for ordinary individuals," said Councillor Greig, “but for an orphanage I think the board ought to consent.” The Mayor: That factor was stressed. Councillor Greig: lam surprised it was not accepted. , , Councillor Spearman: I can t understand the Unemployment Board. It is going to spend money on unproductive work, and when somethin?: comes, alonjc that is going to benefit the district it turns the application down. The Mayor: That is so. Later iu the evening the Mayor reported on the work of the Hutt Valley Unemployment Committee. He mentioned that Upper Hutt had ris?n- to the occasion in finding work under the No. 2 scheme, and its efforts would compare more than favourably with those of other boroughs. „ , “I can’t understand this No. 2 scheme, said Councillor Spearman. “Some men have had their jobs done cheaply. When it comes to the convent scheme the work is stopped. I can’t see that it is fair.’ “It is the difference between ordinary labour and subdivision,” 'said Councillor Greig. Councillor Spearman: No doubt some employers are taking advantage of the No. 2 scheme to get cheap labour. “It is the intention of the Act,” said the Mayor, *‘to have work done which would not otherwise have been done. Councillor Spearman is quite right. Men have been put off by people and others engaged under the No. 2 scheme.” “There are a lot of people making work to relieve unemployment,” said Councillor Greig. The Mayor: That is quite so. JI think,” he continued, “that if the Unemployment Board was informed of the council’s attitude on the convent subdivision it might go through.” “To subdivide,” said Councillor Spearmap, “would be a real asset to the district.”

The Mayor: I quite agree. “Certainly it would give work, said a councillor, “and that is what is wanted.”