WORK OR CHARITABLE AID.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCV, Issue 10918, 28 March 1896, Page 4

WORK OR CHARITABLE AID.

Should our surplus workers be maintained ou charitable doles during the winter months, or should they he placed in a position to earn a .living for themselves and their families? We thought there could not be two opinions on this question, but we regret to find many Conservative writers and speakers arguing against the provision , of work. The Mayor of Christchurch having declared that his Council will not assist in employing surplus workers during the winter, the N prth Canterbury Charitable Aid Board has been thrown back to a contemplation of the alternative of a considerable increase in the charitable aid rate for this year. This is a result, which those who advocate a “ do-nothing ” policy on the part of the local governing bodies must have foreseen ; Mr Beswick, indeed, specifically said that hia Council would gladly vote whatever extra amount was requiredfor the relief of distress, but would vote nothing for work. This attitude (though it lacks the authorisation of the Councillors) is in marked contrast, to the promptaction of the Wellington City Council in voting £IOOO for the employment of men who cannot find work in the open market. The practice of the local bodies (who find the charitable aid rate) cooperating with the Government in finding work for the surplus workers during the winter months is based on souncl principles,, foi? the bodies referred to get the benefit of the. wort, and they contribute less than they would he called upon to do if the unemployed had to be maintained from the charitable ' aid funds. This is a consideration that may not weigh very heavily with wealthy municipalities, hut the country districts, which are heavily burdened by the’ charitable aid rates, will take a very different view of the matter. The .most important consideration, however, -is that by the plan of finding work for those in want of it, the men are spared .the humiliation of accepting pauper relief, and are placed in a position of independence, if not of comfort. We feel assured that until a permanent solution of the problem; of the winter dearth of occupation is arrived at, the bulk of the local bodies ' will see it to be in their best interests to employ the men on districts works and to pay them the highest wages which they are capable of earning, and not a pittance which carries with it a sense of degradation.