The Dominion. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1931. SELF-HELP AMONG THE UNEMPLOYED

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 69, 15 December 1931, Page 8

The Dominion. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1931. SELF-HELP AMONG THE UNEMPLOYED

ment when demobilisation was well forward by publishing a cartoon SJ’ the ‘Sous condition” in which London lamp-posts had beS left on our departure-posts leaning at all sorts of impossibly drUn Certalnfy e this unsoldierly habit was not due to physical weakness —the physique of colonials was above the average—but may it not have been the physical expression of a mental attitude. Austra iam and Zealanders for have b-n brought up to lean on the Government, have become accustomed to the idea that the State will provide, and that under all circumstances it is there, to prop them up. It is true that, thrown on their own resources, colonials have exhibited great resource, initiative, and of independent action but if the State lamp-post were handy, lean on it they would. But now it is bent and bowed, can. scarcely stand of itself, because too much weight has been put on it. In future most of us must stand on our own feet and we are not assisted by having to help support the State and its hangers-on. Apparently the State too is aweary of being the entire providence of some of its dependants for the Unemployment Board » abort to make it a condition of help to the unemployed that they should do something to help themselves. That is sound policy both in the interest of the Government and of the morale of men out of work. It is not enough, of course, to lay down the condition; the board must make it possible of fulfilment, although that should not be difficult. Moreover, so far as most of the unemployed are concerned, we believe they will not -resent the obligation but will welcome the opportunity of doing something for themselves. . , In some of the smaller centres, notably in Stratford, local unemployment committees have already put into operation the scheme which the board now intends to apply generally. Most of them laid their plans at the end of the winter so that the unemployed would have the benefit of the best of the growing season to raise a crop of vegetables and all summer to cut and cart a stock of firewood ,for the winter. It was made quite plain to the men that if they did not care to make an effort on their own behalf, they would forfeit all claim on the local community chest, just as the board in future will expect the workless to give an earnest of their good faith by attempting to raise garden crops and so establish their title to come on. relief works. Wherever possible, and in New Zealand it should be widely possible, the men should also be given a chance to lay in a Stock of firewood. It is a pity that relief should have to. be tagged with conditions like* this but experience in certain cases —it would be invidious to particularise—has shown it-to be necessary. Not all, fortunately, but some of the unemployed seem so sunk in apathy, so untouched by appeals to their self-respect and self-reliance, that the spur of penalties seems unavoidable. There can be no doubt that the requirement that they should do somethihg for themselves will conduce to their moral and physical health. Tile majority, howeVer, will probably welcome this profitable outlet for surplus energy and occupation to fill long hours at present pathetically empty. It will also minister to a sense of independence that may have been blunting and take some of the load off national and local funds.