THE GROUP SYSTEM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 102, 11 April 1933, Page 8

THE GROUP SYSTEM

COMMENCEMENT IN NAPIER. MR BARTON OUTLINES PROPOSAL The unemployed relief scheme devised by Mr J. S. Barton some weeks ago has been exploited by the “Tribune’’ with a view to ascertaining whether there is sufficient enthusiasm amongst the employed citizens of Napier to justify a serious effort to institute a scheme along the same lines in this town. Various people were approached for their views on the matter, the result being that these people met together yesterday morning and agreed that the scheme was worthy of further consideration. It was decided to hold another meeting at an early date, at which other aspects of the scheme would be discussed, and then to call a public meeting of all interested. In the main, Mr Barton’s scheme deals with the co-operation of groups of citizens to assist members of the unemployed, each group of ten taking charge of one unemployed man, with the idea of following up every possibility of finding work for him. At yesterday’s meeting those who attended undertook to make themselves responsible for forming one group, with the result that when a general meeting is called there will be at least ten groups, representing 100 employed citizens, who will pledge to do all in their power to find work for ten unemployed men. It was pointed out that any work so found would be in addition to the relief work the men were receiving. After the scheme was explained byMr Barton, all present agreed that it was one well worthy of receiving full consideration. As there were possibilities of good suggestions as to its operation being made after the scheme was given further consideration, it was decided that before the general meeting was called, those undertaking to form groups of ten employed citizens meet together for further discussion. M hen the scheme has been placed on a sound footing, it is hoped that other citizens will join in with this co-opera-tive endeavour to assist members of the community who are in distressed circumstances. Ten groups having given the lead, it is anticipated that further groups will be formed, so that more unemployed men will receive assistance from their fellow citizens.