RELIEF WORK CRITICISM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21234, 14 July 1932, Page 10

RELIEF WORK CRITICISM.

Criticism of the working of the 4a Scheme for unemployment relief, couched in remarkably strong language to be used by a man in a responsible position, speaking officially, has been offered by the Mayor of Eltham. Ho does not stand alone in employing such terms as "abject serfdom" to describe the conditions under which the men work; but most of the other critics have not been in representative positions, while with some, habitual extravagance of "language discounts all they say. Yet, of all of them, responsible and irresponsible, it may weii be asked what can be gained by resorting to such language? Where there are defects or abuses in the working of the 4a Scheme, or any other form of relief work, everyone has the right ,to criticise. Further than that, i| is the duty of any citizen who is sure of his facts to make them public and, if possible, suggest remedies. But there are various ways of doing,this. It will generally be found that those who are freest and least restrained in criticism arc also those who do least to help. A good example can be found in what has happened with the relief camps in the Auckland district. At one stage a good deal was heard about appalling conditions, and "slave camps" was a favourite term with the purely destructive critics. Then a body of responsible citizens set about investigating the facts at first hand. They found a number of things to be remedied, and set actively about the work of having conditions improved. They were improved, and the good work still continues. There should be food for reflection in this for those who specialise in extravagant language. The problem of unemployment rests on the whole community and nobody can divest himself of some share of responsibility for the handling of it. Mere words are not a helpful contribution. If used without a clue sense of responsibility they may do actual harm. The right of criticism remains, but there is such a thing as exercising it with discretion, and being helpful instead of purely destructive.