BRIGHTER OUTLOOK

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 275, 3 November 1933, Page 14

BRIGHTER OUTLOOK

NAPIER, RELIEF WORKERS EXTENSIVE WORKS AHEAD. ALLOCATION NOT INCREASED. In reply to telegrams sent on Tuesday morning by the Mayor of Napier (Mr. C. 0. Morse) and the member for Napier (Mr. W. E. Barnard), protesting against a decreased allocation of unemployment relief, the Minister of Employment has replied that as Napier is in precisely the same position as it was last summer, he cannot differentiate between Napier and other towns. The “’Tribune” is informed that in face of this answer, the possibility of substantial subsidies for harbour work, outer areas development and river diversion, all within the next few months, will not only offset the present reduction of funds from the Unemployment Board, but actually increase the allowance. Ou Tuesday morning Mr, Barnard and Mr Morse wired the Minister (Hon. Adam Hamilton), saying the distress was very real in Napier, and suggesting he should review the circumstances. Yesterday the Minister replied as follows: “Replying to your telegram, regarding reduction in allocation for Napier, for some time past the weekly expenditure from the Unemployment Fund has been considerably in excess of the weekly income. It is financially impossible... to allow winter allocations to all places through the summer months.

“I find that Napier is now in the same position as it was during the summer of last year right up to July 29 last, and it is regretted that a higher allocation cannot be granted.” • An informant who is closely in touch with the unemployment position in Napier, told the “Tribune” that approximately £50,000 represented the Unemployment Board’s allocation to Napier for the 1931-32 period, and that under the No. 10 scheme a further £50,000 for reconstruction might be involved. He added that in all probability another £50,000, roughly speaking, would represent the approval of the Breakwater extension works, the enlargement of Napier borough through the extension of outer areas, and the subsidising of the Rivers Board diversion plan, so that next year the actual total subsidy from the board to the town would be very much in excess of what it was.

“Despite the answer from the Minister, I believe, and I say this advisedly, the unemployed in Napier will shortly find their burden made a good deal lighter within the next few weeks,” he said. “With the distinct probability of receiving subsidies for at least two public works here, the coming 12 months, with further prospect of better prices for Dominion produce, should be better than we have experienced for some time.”