UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21277, 2 September 1932, Page 13

UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM

MEN UNFIT FOR CAMPS RESPONSIBILITY FOR RELIEF MINISTER DEFINES POSITION [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday The Government considers that hospital boards should deal with applications for the relief of unemployed men classed a3 82, those not fit for camp but fit for light work in the town only, according to a statement defining the position made by the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young, to-day. It is held, however, that the . Unemployment Board's officers should find work for these men wherever possible. "At present there is some conflict of views between the Unemployment Board and certain hospital boards throughout the Dominion as to the responsibility for relief men deemed unfit for camp, but fit for light work," said Mr. Young. "These men are classified as B2 on tha reports of'hospital boards' medical officers, and the majority of the men are suffering some physical incapacity, permanent or temporary. Following the receipt of a copy of a circular sent out by the Hospital Boards' Association embodying the * decision of the Unemployment Board, the Health Department circularised boards frequesting them to deal with B2 and C men, the latter being described as men unfit for work of any kind. There is hardly any question that the hospital boards have better machinery for dealing with this class.

"The institution of special relief for B2 men appears to present peculiar difficulty," Mr. Young continued, " and to put them to work alongside fit men is not advisable. In normal times, these B2 . men, when at the end of their resources and unable to find employment, would be entitled to look to the hospital boards for relief. Even in these stressful days the numbers of B2 men in several centres are believed to be not sd great as to cause serious embarrassment to the finances of hospital boards. " The Government considers hospital boards should deal with applications for relief from all men classed as 82," said Mr. Young. " Should a board find itself embarrassed, it can, in the ordinary course, make representations to the Government for consideration. I recognise, however, that the Unemployment Board must, co-operate with hospital boards in endeavouring to find suitable work for B2 men. In the event of local authorities finding, suitable relief work for any of these men, the Unemployment Board would then take over the responsibility of paying them relief rate« of pay, thus for the time being absolving hospital boards from liability."

SEASONAL WORKERS BEMOYAL OF RESTRICTIONS [BY TELEGBAPH —PBESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday Restrictions debarring seasonal workers from relief -work are being investigated by the Unemployment Board. It is understood that the scheme being considered will provide that seasonal workers will be accepted as eligible for registration as unemployed, and will be enabled to earn on relief work a fixed amount over and above what they would have received had they been on relief work ~- for the whole 12 months. The position of seasonal workers was discussed on Wednesday between tha board and a deputation comprising - the president and secretary of the Canterbury Freezing Workers' Union. x DEVONPORT ASSISTANCE INCREASE IN ACTIVITIES The Devonport Welfare Association's records for August show an increase in every department. The policy ing boots and clothing from the manufacturers and disposing of them- to relief workers at cost price, on terms, is being continued. Over 100 workerj vwho were receiving vegetables from the depot have now commenced gardening for themselves. The employment bureau at the depot has placed 22 women and girls in positions during the mon"ih. Several boys have been provided for. There are now no unemployed boys or girls on the register. A net profit of nearly £2O from the Blind Institute concert has been placed to the credit of the Welfare Association. GARDENS NOT CULTIVATED REGULATION TO BE ENFORCED A complaint that a number of the unemployed had made no attempt to dig their gardens under the regulations laid down by the Unemployment Board as a qualification for relief work was made, at a meeting of the Otahuhu Borough Council last evening by Mr. F. W. Grey. A report was submitted by the inspector appointed by the council, and Mr. Grey said he knew of a number of men who had made no attempt to comply with the regulation. He suggested that, the council should take steps to see that the men concerned cultivated their gardens. It was decided to empower the Works Committee to take the necessary action to enforce the regulations. No. 2 SCHEME NOT FAVOURED CO-OPERATION REFUSED [bx telegraph OWN correspondent] I GISBORNE, Thursday On the casting vote of the Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., the Gisborne Borough Council decided to refuse to cooperate with the Unemployment Board in its No. 2 scheme, providing for relief workers to be .engaged on private work, and for their wages to be paid partly by the employer and partly by the board. Mr. Coleman contended that the scheme would result in cutting out work which might otherwise be offered, as men well able to pay the full amount of wages might take advantage of subsidised labour. Mr. S. V. Beaufoy, while admitting that all relief schemes were subject to abuse, said he "-would support any ocheme that would provide extra - work at the present time. After a brief discussion a motion that the council co-operate in the scheme was lost. "