BEAUTIFYING CITIES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 179, 27 April 1938, Page 10

BEAUTIFYING CITIES

Use Of Labour Unfit For Full Day’s Work SUGGESTION BY MINISTER A suggestion that men classed as unfit for a full day’s work might be provided with a useful occupation by utilising their services for beautifying the bare parts of city and suburban streets was made by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, to a deputation which waited upon him yesterday. He mentioned that he intended to bring the suggestion to the notice of the Minister of Labour, Hon. H. T. Armstrong.

“There is a spirit of helpfulness imbuing the public to-day which is very encouraging and very helpful in work for the protection of native bush and in the further beautification of our cities, towns and highways,” said Mr. Parry. “There seems to be a proper appreciation everywhere of the value of our (frees—-of their worth to the country as against their worth to the a 3:e —which must add greatly to the advantage of the work in hand. Nurserymen and shopkeepers handling seeds, plants, and trees tell me that there is now a bigger demand for the sale of flower and berry trees, that the pohutukawa is keenly sought after for the beauty of its foliage and flamered flowers. That is further testimony to the spread of interest and enthusiasm for tree beautification.” There were many men, the Minister said, who could be classed only as being unfit to do a full day’s hard work whose services might be obtained for tree, shrub, and garden work around the cities and suburbs. “A lot of these men,” Mr. Perry stated, “I know would welcome this kind of work—and there are many among the unemployables who regret their enforced idleness. They would obtain from employment in beautification work an interest in life — obtain the feeling that they were doing something which was at least useful to the community. I Intend speaking to my colleague, the Minister of Labour, regarding the suggestion.” Congratulations were extended by the Minister to the horticultural and beautifying societies on the work being done with the increased support of the public. “The planting next Arbor Day should be the crowning sucecss of the societies’ efforts,” added the Minister.