UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE CAMPS

Evening Star, Issue 21147, 6 July 1932, Page 9

UNEMPLOYMENT

IN THE CAMPS

MORAL AND SPIRITUAL VIEWPOINTS REPORT OF RELIGIOUS BODIES A report prepared by a conference of religious bodies on distress was presented to the Dunedin Presbytery yesterday afternoon by Dr Salmond, who stated that the figures in the following statement had been compiled about three weeks ago : There are two types, those, which were recently Public Works camps, but which are now on a relief basis: and those established and being established for unemployed single men. Camps for married men in Otago (as far as ascertained): — Approx. No. of Men. Occupation. Falls Dam ’* (near St. Bathans) ... 150 Irrigation Near Lauder 100 Race-making Omakau ... 50 Irrigation *Kurow ... sto 800 Hydro-electric Probable duration of work, all winter. *This camp seems to bo under direct control. An estimate given me was 350 married men and their wives and about 550 children. Y.M.G.A. work is meeting some needs. . With the new regulations men are now on a co-operative contract basis. The men group themselves into groups of twelve, and are paid so that each man in a good group may earn as much as 12s fid per working day. Camps for unemployed single men in Otago (as far as ascertained): — Approx. number. . Occupation. Rae’s Junction 40 Road-straightening Waipahi ... 40 Road work Omakau ... 50 Irrigation ETAOINETOAIN Drainage Probable duration of work at Rao s Junction, eight months; other works, all winter. Mining camps, rumoured to be going to take several hundreds, are at Cardrona and Waikirikiri Valley. Akatore.—A camp for fifty men is authorised, but not yet established hero. The new relief measures will cause all single men under fifty physically fit to face the alternative of having no relief given or going to camp. In the ramps the work is paid at such a rate that if the men put in a reasonable working week they will earn 10s. A few earn about 12s and a few as low as 7s per week. The camp is established by erecting Public Works Department teiits (wooden floored and boarded round side—two men to a tent). 'Hie men provide their own clothing, boots, utensils, etc. Food is provided. The whole question whether, from the moral and spiritual viewpoint, single men’s camps should be continued if the period of depression is going to continue for, say, seven years, must be faced because of— The lack of contact of the inmates with the normal life of men, and women, and children. The inability of men in camp to seekwork or know if any is offering for them in town or country.

Tho lack of any future for such single men, some of whom have already delayed marriage for a period. But as single men’s camps have been and are being established the following points must be considered: — Men in single men’s camps must be made to feel that they are hi sympathetic contact with the outside world. This might be achieved by regular visitation and spiritual ministration, and by contact given by a competent person resident in the camp for the express purpose. Here an unemployed teacher or a vigorous minister freed for (the work by the church would be suitable. A need exists for some reasonable person who can organise camp leisure activities and interpret real needs to the outside community. Such a man could organise a camp fund by which every man could pay what he can for what he gets, thereby avoiding blind, indiscriminate giving. It is necessary that one man, co-operating with the men in camp, by way of a small committee, in instructional and recreational activities, should be responsible for accurate records of all assistance given from outside. . In every camp a general meeting place (a military marquee) is necessary, and could be provided with facilities for reading and leisure. Local newspaper offices could be invited to send out newspapers free of charge. Church workers in the district in which a camp has been established could bo invited to interest themselves in the camp. Churches in definite city areas could be asked to accept responsibility for supervision of a definite camp. Arrangements could be made with the public librarian to obtain a circulating library—the books to bo cared for and distributed by the responsible person in each camp. Arrangements could be made with the Railways Department or private transport companies to give free transport of materials to single men’s camps and reduced rates to voluntary parties (lecturers, W.E.A., entertainers, etc.). Some assistance could be afforded the W.E.A. to carry on educational work in spite of no Government grants. Churches might well request that before camps are authorised in future, nearness of the proposed site to firewood and to public houses bo considered. Through a responsible person, worn' clothing and footwear (especially boots) could be made available for men on road work. (f might hero make a personal observation that considerable difficulty will be experienced in getting tho Minister in Charge of Employment to depart from tho policy of refusing to bring anything under official or semi-official control which social and religious organisations might possibly undertake.) REST ROOMS. The purpose of rest rooms would bo to provide for activities in tho leisure time which was once filled up by work. "I'liis is the problem of tho older men, whose evening habits are more or less fixed, but whose days now hang heavily upon them. These men need a rest rooni in the city—not a recreation club —a place where they can rest and congregate when they come, as many do, daily to tho city seeking a job, or just “ coming into town." One central rest room open from 10 to 5, with newspapers, magazines, books, cards, draughts, chess, etc., and occasional afternoon lectures should cot the needs of such men at the moment. Such a room needs the supervision of a committee and the constant attendance of a responsible man, receiving an honorarium. Expenses _ would bo . gut, and occasional dispensing of tea and biscuits would add to the social warmth. Two subsidiary centres in areas where unemployment is most acute are desirable. I would suggest tho opening dining tho daytime of rest rooms of the type on a smaller scale at the north end or North-east Valley and King Edward street.

FACILITIES FOR RECREATION. The need here is to provide for the enforced leisure of young men eighteen to twenty-five—a much more serious purpose. The need here will depend on the response or otherwise for entry into single men’s camps. In the meantime I suggest (1) that a central roc. :on room, supervised by an attendant working under a committee, be opened in the evenings (Monday to Thursday). The proposals of Knox Church would probably be admirable here, or the Moray place room could be reopened for the evenings. (2) That the Y.M.C.A., the Training College drill specialists, or other well-disposed persons arrange r hysical culture classes for youths in the mornings or afternoons in suitable places, and that swimming groups be organised for the Public Baths. In conclusion, let me state that the above measures are matters that are urgent, but that our churches cam help most by awakening Christian people to willingness to accept responsibility for others by the very fact of their presence here upon the earth and to simple and earnest witness to a renewed faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour of the World. The report was adopted.