MEN FOR CAMPS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 169, 13 April 1932, Page 13

MEN FOR CAMPS

Problem of Unmarried Relief Workers UNFITNESS SOLE TEST Some concern at the Unemployment Board’s decision that physical untltuess would be the only excuse accepted from unmarried relief workers who sought exemption from the camp scheme, was expressed at a meeting of the Citizens’ Unemployment Committee yesterday. It has already been announced that refusal to volunteer for the country camps will debar a single man from further consideration under the No. 5 scheme. The camp system is in a process of extension, and single men will receive their housing aud food and a minimum of 10/- for a five and a half day week on various works. The men who accepted work at the Akatarawa camp when It was established have in many cases averaged over 10/- a week, and it is believed that it will also be possible for willing men to exceed the minimum in the camps now in view. The Citizens’ Unemployment Committee has been advised that the plea of physical unfitness for a camp must be supported by a medical certificate. At the meeting of the committee yesterday several members remarked that hardship might result in some ease where sons and brothers were forced to leave home for winter camps situ-, ated some hundreds of miles from Wellington. It was resolved on the motion of Mr. F. Cornwell to approach the Unemployment Board for an instruction regarding the attitude to be adopted in the cases of single men who are a necessity in the household. It was also resolved to ask that in such cases the dispatch of the men to camp be delayed until it was absolutely necessary. Au unfounded rumour was circulated yesterday to the effect that the Government's intention was to apply the camp system in the same way as drafts were drawn in the late war—single men first, followed by married men without children, and ultimately men with families. The unqualified decision to place single men in camps lias given rise to a query regarding the use of shelters existing for the housing of workless and homeless men. Apparently the first men likely to be offered camp work are those at present using these shelters. Canon Fieldon Taylor has charge of a large building in Martin Place which caters for the homeless. Some of these men have had relief , work for two days a week, and they ' have become used to idleness for the 1 remaining five days of the week. : Whether they will take kindly to five : and a half days’ camp work for 10/is a question which is likely to cause some concern when attempts are made to stimulate a move from the city. j