TASK FOR ALL

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 21, 26 January 1931, Page 10

TASK FOR ALL

APPEAL TO LOCAL' BODIES

PROVIDING WOIIK

(Contributed.)

•Splendid work in the relief 'of distress caused by. unemployment has been done for some years by the local bodies of New Zealand, but since the passing of the Unemployment Act there has been a tendency to slacken off expenditure in this direction, chieily because of tllo prevalence of a belief that the Unemployment Board would in future act the part of the fairy godmother and relievo ■them of further responsibility.

This belief is entirely erroneous, and one result of this transference of the local bodies 1 burdens has been considerably to hamper the board's efforts. If the members of these bodies would consider the matter they would understand that it is financially impossible for the board to handle every aspect of this tremendous problem. Not only should there be no slackening of the local bodies' efforts, but they should be increased to the greatest extent of their'resources. Co-ordination with the board's efforts and determination 011 the part of each local body to do its share in promoting schemes to provide work aro the main essentials to the relief of distress.

Some local bodies' applications for subsidies for public works have been refused, and they are feeling somewhat unsympathetic with the board in consequence. But in all cases there has been a sound reason for the refusal— either the application was made after the total grant had been allocated, the work was a profit-earning- venture, or the application was on account of ordinary maintenance work which would have to bo done in any case by tho local body's own staff. Perusal of the correspondence files of tho board would disclose that many millions of pounds would be required' to meet all tho demands made on the board's limited funds.

With these facts before them,, the board feels that the local bodies will see the necessity of the closest cooperation, with all organisations working for the; common good. Once this is achieved the way will be clear for the board to organise and develop further schemes for overcoming unemployment. It was never expected or believed that the Unemployment Act would completely solve the problem of the workless. 'But the cxperienco of the board has shown that considerable diminution in the ranks of the unemployed can be effected if -there is wholehearted co-operation among all classes of the community. To leave the whole problem to the board, and add to it the local bodies' individual responsibilities, is likely, seriously _to affect the success of the administration of the Act. The board recognises that, some local bodies have for the time being reached the limit of their available financial resources, but there are other bodies which the board would be glad to sec taking thoir full share in the campaign for the benefit of the unemployed.