PUBLIC WORKS CAMPS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 87, 9 October 1935, Page 10

PUBLIC WORKS CAMPS

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—The Press of New Zealand has of late given a great deal of praise, and prominence, to the latest scheme to relieve unemployment, as outlined *by the Minister, of Finance, in his Budget and in his speech at Wanganui. I believe many members of the public are under the impression that the proposed scheme is in operation now, and that any unemployed man, who wants to, can go to these jobs at standard rates of pay. That assumption is quite, wrong. I have been on sustenance here for some weeks, existing on 14s a week, plus a little earned by way of private work. Some time ago at the labour bureau we were all given a slip of paper, on which we were asked to indicate whether or not we would accept work under the new scheme. Like the majority, I gladly expressed my willingness to accept. Indeed, I was keen to do so, so much so that, on receiving no-notification of any kind to report for work, I especially asked for this work, wherever it might be. In taking this action, however, I only walked into a trap; the result being very different from what I had hoped it would be. I was offered a camp at 15s a week, and was given to understand a refusal to go would mean cessation of sustenance and assistance of any kind. Also I was informed-that so far they knew nothing of this new work at standard rates. Is it not strange that officials should not know anything concerning the beginning of the scheme several weeks after they were first publicly proposed? I wonder is this only* an election cry. . "

Some time ago Mr. Bromley deplored the fact that men would hot leave their homes in order to better themselves and'the country. That certainly is not true of the Wellington district. I know men of ability and integrity who would go anywhere for anything approaching • decent wages, but the position is there is no such work to go to. i If there is, why don't they send those of us who are eager to go. ~' "',..-'■

Relief' camps at 15s a week are to the youth of this country nothing more nor less than graveyards wherein are buried all their hopes and dreams, and those of us with still a spark of ambition left would prefer to endure hardship than go to them, i

We all know unemployment is a difficult thing to. cure, but I am sure if the leaders of the world could know a little of the mental anguish endured by those who are its victims they .-would find a solution. Ours is the richest civilisation sincei the world began, but can we be proud of it, until it is possible for every man. and woman to live /without begging, without charity, and without relief work?—l am, etc., J.O.J.