Unemployed, Win Gold

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 134, 10 June 1935, Page 7

Unemployed, Win Gold

Splendid Success of Grubstaking REFRESHING AND INSPIRING EXPERIENCE Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, Last Night. “A refreshing and inspiring experience for anyone who knows only the town aspects of unemployment relief,” was the description applied by the Minister of Employment (Hon. S. O. Smith) when interviewed at the conclusion of the recent official tour of the ■west coast of the South. Island. “On the west coast,”, -said Mr. Smith, “although there are over 2000 unemployed between Hokitika and Ivaramea a relief worker is rarely seen except on a few special works such as aerodrome construction. Two years ago the west coast area was one of the most difficult administrative problems on the Unemployment Board's hands owing particularly to the independent spirit of the people and the difficulty of finding sufficient suitable works under scheme 5. Accordingly Mr. J. S. Jessep, former deputy chairman, visited the coast and inaugurated a system of grubstaking unemployed to go out of the towns into the hills to win gold. Today the whole scene is completely transformed and a visit there is an inspiration. Twelve hundred West Coast Unemployed are independent goldminers grubstaked by the board and for all practical purposes their own bosses. The arrangement suits the West Coasters and makes them happy in comparison with the outlook of the unemployed in areas where the same opportunities cannot be given. “At the Humphrey's Gully scheme the Public Works Department is constructing a big water race which it is estimated will provide on one face alone a hundred sluicing claims which will each provide a good living for the owners for 20 years.

“During the whole of my inspection I did not hear a single grouse,” said Mr. Smith. “One came away convinced that the men and women who have shown enterprise and energy to leave behind them the aspirations of <Sty careers by ho fault of their own and to strike out afresh this time to win their bread from Nature itself instead of from society, are deserving of encouragement and help. The value of gold sales recorded by the miners under the board’s scheme in various parts of the country is about £150,000.”