WORK AND SUSTENANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21163, 21 April 1932, Page 12

WORK AND SUSTENANCE.

Sir, —Thoso who advocate that relief should be given to thoso who refuse work offered have apparently overlooked. the direction given by St. Paul to the Thessalonians. " This wo commanded you,that ii any would not work, neither should he eat, for \vc hear that there are some which walk among you .disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread." The advice'is sound, for those who arc prepared, as are most of those who at present lack employment, to do what offers, will find their more fortunate brethren ready with a helping hand. To those who refuse relief work, and to the members of the Hospital Board, it may be pointed out that tha immediate effect of refusal to accept unemployed relief work is the diversion of the allocation to other centres; it is not held to the credit of our local bodies to be used by them later—the money 13 definitely lost to the local community! and its loss reduces the capacity of th» city to provide normal employment. Not only so, but the obligation thus thrown upon and accepted by the Hospital Board to provide sustenance for the families of the strikers cannot but increase the amount to be levied as rates on our property owners, and so will reduce their capacity to spend normally and provide employment for others. The ill-advised action of those who feel that their protest must he registered by a refusal of work is rebounding on themselves an" tending to put others into the snma u n * fortunate plight. To them all I would say, have done with the agitators, and you will have the . full backing of th» business community in your efforts toward a restoration of normal living. Ratepayer.