GOOD PROGRESS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 29, 28 October 1932, Page 3

GOOD PROGRESS

Vegetable Plot Scheme UNEMPLOYED MEN Work in Other Centres That good progress is being made with the vegetable-growing scheme for unemployed iu most centres in the Dominion was indicated by Mr. J. A. Campbell, of the Agricultural Department, when speaking at a meeting of the Wellington garden allotment scheme committee yesterday. In Invercargill and Dunedin excellent work had been done, said Mr. Campbell. In Christchurch there was a good committee, but some little difficulty had been experienced which had now been overcome, and they were getting along quite well. Auckland had been rather difficult to get going. There were so many local bodies it was not possible to get one central committee to organise the scheme as in Wellington. But the mayors of the different boroughs were now acting, and central Auckland was being looked after by Mr. Slaughter, of the Labour Department. The position at Auckland differed from yyelliugton; some of the married unemployed in Wellington were working in country camps, and a difficulty had arisen in respect to a supply of vegetables for their wives and families. Mr. Slaughter was growing vegetables tinder the No. 5 scheme, and he hoped to raise sufficient crops to supply the mayor’s relief fund organisation as well as the families of married men who were'working in the country. The scheme was got going somewhat late for Auckland, where the growing . season was earlier than in Wellington, but it was hoped that something much larger would be attempted there next year. ‘•Every borough, town board, and county council in New Zealand have been circularised, and supplied with the outline of the scheme,” said Mr. Campbell. “We have sent out some 400 communications, but unfortunately in some instances the final issue was a request for financial assistance from the Unemployment Board, which the board was not disposed to grant.” The committee received a letter from Mr. J. G. McKenzie, director of city parks and reserves, suggesting that the next meeting of the committee be held a fortnight hence, when he would be in a position to report on the work in Wellington. On the motion of Mr. F. Bennett, the chairman, Mr. F. S. Pope, the secretary, Mr. G. 8. Nicoll, Mr. J. A. Campbell, representing the Government, and Mr. J. G. Mackenzie (representing the City Council), were appointed a permanent executive. After next Thursday week, any further meeting of the committee be summoned as circumstances dictate.