Relief Measures in New Zealand are Beyond Compare

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7242, 23 August 1933, Page 8

Relief Measures in New Zealand are Beyond Compare

Mr Cadwallader Defends Work of Unemployment Board Drainage Board Still Pulling Its Weight

At a special meeting of the Manawatu Drainage Board yesterday, arrangements were put in hand which should result in the hoard employing a large number of men on improvements to the lower Mangaone. Mr. W. H. Cadwallader, officer in charge of unemployment matters for the district, attended and gave a comprehensive survey of the position as regards utilisation of relief workers for such schemes, while at the same time emphasising the enormity of the unemployment problem and the need for sincere co-operation to alleviate it. Tribute was paid to the help given by district local bodies in this direction. The result of the meeting’s deliberations is that a gang of between 30 and 40 men whose services would otherwise have been dispensed with will be retained, their number increased to approximately 50, and their united efforts applied to the work indicated'. Trustee P. G. Mil don. presided, while others present were Messrs W. E. Thomas, A. W. Hamlin, J. Oollis, I*. G. Bussell, B. Tanner and D. Prouse. Explaining the object of the-meeting, the chairman stated that in view of the fact that some of the work on which, .tho men engaged by the board wjas almost exhausted, there had been some fear that a shortening of sail would be necessitated, involving a redaction in the number of hands. The position had been communicated to Mr. Cadwallader, -who, however, had appeared anxious that the number of men engaged should be maintained and if possible increased. In view of the board’s intimation that fewer men would be wanted, ho had made representations to have the position investigated. Accordingly the board members had that morning inspected the lower reaches of tho Mangaone, fxom the outlet to Monrad’s road, and it h£d been generally agreed that there was room for further work in that area. If this were authorised it would E&kc it possible to - -retain the third gang now in the board’s employ, ~nd p&sibly engage a few extra men. The officer’s chief difficulty was obviously one of placing the men, and from the board’s point of view it should be much better to go on improving. the stream rather than just keeping it in order.

•Explaining the object of his visit to the board’s meeting, Mr. Cadwallader said he felt that a free discussion of common difficulties in connection with the administration of Telief would do. a lot to facilitate the operation of those measures designed by the Government for the relief of distress, lhe Unemployment Board was very appreciative of the good work being done, and gratefully recognised the assistance rendered by the Drainage Board and other local bodies in dealing with this unfortunate but important phase of the country’s difficulties. It was regrettable that there were so many of New Zealand’s responsible citizens pursuing a policy of destructive criticism of the Unemployment Board and its activities. No good" could emanate from this unless it w'as immediately followed by a constructive policy; it merely caused discontent and added to the burden of all. There was noticeable a marked absence of anything in the nature of a constructive idea regarding the relief of unemployment forthcoming from the people who were so free with criticism. “It must be remembered,” continued Mr. Cadwallader, “that the Unemployment Board is grappling under adverse conditions with a tremendous problem in the attempted solution of which it has nothing in tho nature of a precedent as a guide, but as you probably know, it is doubtful whether any. country in the world has done anything to compare with New Zealand’s efforts.on behalf of its uncmidoyed citizens. Remembering Who Pays. “It is very easy to sit back and criticise this scheme, and that scheme devised for the relief of unemployment but facts speak for themselves, ana it cannot be denied that a great deal of good has been done, nor can it be denied that the best use has been made of tho funds available. The board. has not only to consider the question of relief from'the relief worker’s point of view, or from the point of view of his needs, but what is also very important, it has to, consider the position of those who pay, the time has' undoubtedly arrived when that consideration is a most important one. It must be obvious no all that the position of tho primary producer is to-day a very unenviable one and in this country, dependent as it is on its primary productivity for its welfare, the welfare of the primary producer is of paramount importance. Not only is it important to the individual farmer, but as the prosperity of the city worker and business man is directly proportionate to tho welfare of the farmer, tho question becomes one of national importance. That brings us to the various schemes devised by the board as a means of assisting farmers apd at the same time directing unem-ployed-labour into useful channels.” Proceeding to outline the more salient features of the various schemes that have been inaugurated for the purposes of relief, the inspector said that scheme j 5 was the main means contrived by the. to absorb those of our people whoj

were unfortunate enough to need assistance. The scheme depended largely, in fact almost -wholly, on the assistance given by local bodies. The work already done in this direction reflected great credit on the members of all local bodies concerned. In operating this in common with other schomes, it must be realised that it was very necessary from the workers’ point of view and from that of the national welfare that where possible really useful work should bo done. It was not conducive to tho mental or physical welfare of any man to be engaged in work of an unproductive nature and it was indeed gratifying to be able to say that in the big district administered from Palmerston North, a great deal of work of a definitely valuable nature had been done. “Chipping the Grass.” "Too much has been heard of the grumblers’ well-worn phrase “chipping the grass on tho roadside, ” but we must remember that all of those unfortunate enough to be unemployed are not physically capable of performing heavy manual labour. Light work must be provided for these man and their services are utilised in and about our cities and towns in beautifying, clearing up and general improvement work of a light nature. It must not be assumed, however, that they, the unfit for heavy work, are in the majority, as such is not the case, but being employed where so many see them has probably led to the seemingly popular misconception of the general activities of the relief worker summed up in the phrase ‘chipping the grass on the roadside.’ Scheme 5, then, is our main scheme, depending for its continued success on the provision of useful work by our local bodies, and I would ask you as members of an important local body to continue to assist where possible in this direction. It does not appear to be a matter of making work, and though I have not the knowledge of the country possessed by members of this and of other local bodies, 1 think it will be generally agreed that there exists ample room in our district for utilisation of unemployed labour on work of a nationally beneficial character which when good times come again as they assuredly will do, will rebound to the benefit of all. Unemployed For Farms.

The services of scheme 5 workers may be utilised by farmers on their own property under what is popularly known as the ‘over the fence’ scheme on any developmental work such as draining, stumping, clearing noxious weeds and fencing at a very small cost to the farmer. This cost includes workers’ insurance, and it is desired that some extra assistance be given by the farmer over and above his allocation on relief—such assistance to be in cash or in kind for extra time worked on the property. Some farmers employ the man for a day or two extra per week at a wage to be agreed on and others supply some meat, vegetables, milk, or firewood. Tho scheme is operated with a minimum of trouble to the farmer. Where a man is employed under this scheme for more than his usual days, and is paid accordingly, the unemployment emergency charge is applicable to his wages.

“This briefly covers the ground: 1 feel sure we can count on your continued assistance in the serious problem confronting us. If the board sees its way clear to retain the men, it will be rendering signal service. If, on the other hand, you were to put them off, it will mean they will go back to the cities and be employed on far less useful work. Nobody minds seeing physically unfit men on our streets, but to see able-bodied men there is no good either for them or the country, and I would solicit you to do all in youi power to prevent it,” declared the speaker.

Borne members expressed doubt as to the amount of work available on the stream, but it was agreed there need be no fear on this scoro for some months to come. The question of supervising was also discussed, as Trustee Hamlin said they had really arrived at the position wdiere in the ordinary course of events one of the present overseers might have to bo discharged.

Mr. Cadwallader undertook to take the matter up with the department and approach it as to subsidising the foreman so that he could he utilised for the full week.

I'inance, it was stated, would present no serious difficulties, as the funds of the board were stated to be in a sufficiently healthy position to cope with any contingent expenses of retaining the men.

Members were also anxious to ascertain whether any men drafted on to drainage work would be left on the job without being transferred unnecessarily to other works. Mr. Cadwallader gave an assurance that any men put on such work would be left there if they proved suitable, and the. department insisted on a man producing a medical certificate before being relieved from country work. . Trustee Tanner pursued inquiries as to what facilities were available for in-, dividual farmers to get the services of smaller gangs of men for useful and profitable farm work which could not perhaps be classed as definitely productive. Transport usually created the chief difficulty.

Mr. Cadwallader pointed out that

men were available and farmers Who could arrange for getting men out to their land could get immense quanti-. ties of work done at remarkably cheap rates. Mr. Tanner declared that the problem was certainly grave, and it was pitiable to see men with families going about seeking work and unable to find it. The chairman: Then if the board decides to go on with the work, how many men could you let us have? Mr. Cad-waliadcr: I could give you 200 to-morrowl (Laughter.) Thanking Mr. Cadwallader for his atendance, the chairman said ho was sure the Drainage Board would do all in its power to back him up and if they could not place those 200 men, at least they would find work for a large number in the Mangaone for some few months to come. The time was particularly opportune for the utilisation of unemployed labour, because those who employed the men were helping others as well as themselves. The board would do its utmost in the matter.

Mr. Cadwallader also outlined in brief for the benefit of members other schemes under which labour was obtainable for all divisions of farm work, the board evincing considerable interest in his explanations. Mr. Cadwallader expressed the opinion that insufficlent publicity had been given to the general schemes of the Unemployment Board, and farmers did not in every case realise what assistance was available.

The board’s overseer, Mr. M. Wilson, suggested that men obtaining any extra work in this direction were immediately penalised by a reduction of their allocation, and there was little encouragement presented to men to get work for themselves. Mr. Cadwallader, however, gave this a spirited denial. Mr. Tanner said the meeting had been very profitable, and he was more than pleased with what the Unemployment Board was prepared to do if given a chance. It was decided to appoint a committee consisting of the chairman, Trustees Hamlin and Tanner to supervise the work at Mangaone and authorise any needed expenditure.