REPLY TO CRITICISM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21807, 23 May 1934, Page 14

REPLY TO CRITICISM

APPEAL FOR CO-OPERATION THE TAXPAYERS' BURDEN NECESSITY FOR CARE [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] PALMERSTON NORTH, Tuesday Addressing members of the 1 alnierston North Citizens' Lunch Club this afternoon on the matter of j'clief camps, unemployment and pay allocations locally, "tho Minister of Employment, the Hon. A. Hamilton, replied in strong terms to criticism of tho Unemployment Board. He said Talmerston North had a relatively greater allocation than any other electorate in the Dominion. He also appealed for a greater degree of co-operation between citizens and local bodies and the board with a view to providing more relief work, pointing to advantages which the city should uso by virtue of its position in the midst of a rich farm community. "As chairman of the Unemployment Board, I am not prepared to recommend tho Government to increaso the tax, in spite of the insistent demands made," Mr. Hamilton said. Care had to bo exercised that in solving the problem a worse position was not created. Tho position of taxpayers had to bo watched as well as that of tho unemployed. As trustees of tho fund tho board had to give as generously as possible while keeping the fund solvent.

The Minister said ho had often wondered why the taxpayers did not demonstrate for a reduction of the tax. Tho board had no desire to withhold anything it could give in a fair way. The State had tho right to expect the help of local body men, or otherwise a rod would bo made for their own backs.

Mr. Hamilton said the board was endeavouring to roduco tho number of men on No. 5 scheme, for there should be less in Palmerston North. Men were sitting down and nob going out to help themselves. Ho contended that much No. 5 scheme work was now becoming uneconomic. He thought this had a worse moral effect on the men than getting paid far no work. The board itself did not employ men, but asked for co-operation. The Minister later returned to Wellington. MEN AT PALMERSTON NORTH MINISTER REFUSES DEMANDS [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] PALMERSTON NORTH, Tuesday When tho Minister of Employment, the Hon. A. Hamilton, visited Palmerston North to-day for the purpose of explaining tho position of tho Unemployment Fund there was a demonstration at tho railway station by the unemployed, whose representatives demanded an immediate interview. In consequence, the Minister, who was accompanied by Mr. W. Bromley, a member of the Unemployment Board, was lialf-an-hour late for his appointment to speak at the Citizens' Lunch Club gathering. The unemployed demanded that camps bo optional, that cuts made in pay be restored, that failing work being available sustenance be Riven, and that workers absent from relief jobs to-day should receive their pay allocation as usual. After several speakers had addressed him, Mr. Hamilton said: "We are quite prepared to consider requests, but not demands. All you want, apparently, is fair treatment. Palmerston North is on the same basis as other parts of New Zealand. We are quite prepared to give you a fair share of the funds at our disposal, but Palmerston North has been liberally treated." Interjections punctuated the Minister's remarks. He said there were 10,000 or 12,000 men in camp in New Zealand. Fifty men were wanted from Palmerston North. There was a shortage of 500 or 600 men in afforestation camps. "How many of you will volunteer?" asked the Minister. Voices: None.

The Minister said the demand for camps to be optional, restoration of cuts, or, failing that, full rates of sustenance could not be granted. "Concerning the demand for' payment; for to-dnv," he continued, "we did not invite you here. If there had been a reasonable deputation we would have said they could be paid for to-day, but we cannot do it with this crowd. You have my reply. We want men to plant trees during the winter."