WHOSE BUSINESS?

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 144, 21 June 1933, Page 8

WHOSE BUSINESS?

"Some people say ' that ihe Government should have done something," said Mr. L. Greenberg, when speaking to the Rotary Club on boy unemployment yesterday. "It is, indeed, rather surprising to realise that in all the emergency legislation transacted by Parliament during the past two years no lead has been given to the solution of the juvenile aspect of the unemployment problem, neither has. any provision been made by way of a palliative for unemployed boys and girls." We have little sympathy with a general plea that the Government should "do something" when it comes from individuals who could well be active themselves. But Mr. Greenberg and those who have beeir associated with him in helping the boys are not in this class. They have worked hard and methodically, and have accomplished much. The cost has been trifling—£l3o since October, 1931. They have thus established a claim to Government support. Such support is not altogether lacking, for £100 of the £130 expenses cajne from the Government, but we do think there is a strong case for keener and more continuous interest. Over a year ago we suggested that the Government could well appoint an honorary Minister who would make juvenile unemployment his especial care.: At present it is the care of everybody in general, and no one is particularly responsible. The Government then appointed Messrs. S. G. Smith and Ansell. These members of Parliament investigated the problem throughout New Zealand, and prepared a valuable report; but no one was charged with seeing that this investigation was followed up. We do not belittle the value of the work already done, but we are convinced that a great deal more could be accomplished if the matter were made one man's special business. The need for further action and for a definite lead' from the Government is apparent from the facts given by Mr. Greenberg.