WORK IN PARKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25055, 20 November 1944, Page 7

WORK IN PARKS

RETURNED MEN'S NEEDS REPLY TO THE MAYOR The hope that a scheme of light employment attractive to returned men in need of remedial treatment would be devised was expressed by Mr F. Hackett, M.P., chairman of the Auckland .Rehabilitation Committee, in a statement issued on Saturday. Mr Ilackett said he hoped that this scheme would be similar to those at present being successfully run in other centres and that it would be brought about as a result of a meeting between the City Council and his committee as requested ln f the committee's resolution. lhis statement was in reply to one made by the Mayor, Mr J. A. C. Allum. Hackett said that Air. Allum had gone to some length in his endeavour to excuse the lack of initiative and policy that had been shown by his council toward helping ex-servicemen who had returned broken in health and who were in need of remedial treatment so that at a later date they might be absorbed into the industrial and social life of the community. Wages Condition Continuing, Mr Hackett stated.— Air Allum mentioned a letter written on behalf of the council dated August 11, 1944, stating that ' the council had resolved to employ these men in the parks department, particularly at the nursery or in and around the glasshouses, and on such light employment as_ the sponging of palms, weeding, pricking out seedlings, sweeping np leaves, etc.' It is only natural to assume that this work would normally be done, so can only be termed as general maintenance, but what Mr Allum omitted to mention was that a condition 1 provided that the whole of the wages are paid by the Rehabilitation Committee ' also was written in the letter. " It is surely within the capacity of the City Council to inaugurate a scheme similar to that in operation in Dunedin and Christchurch, through which men are engaged upon creative, beautifying or constructive work in quiet places, and if necessary provide qualified supervisors so that the men concerned having developed a liking for the work can accumulate a beneficial knowledge of horticulture. Parks Committee's Letter , " The discussion that took place at the last meeting of the Rehabilitation Committee arose from a letter received from tho council's Parks Committee dated November 9, which reads: 'With reference to the interview which an officer of your department had with the assistant town clerk regarding the suggestion that returned servicemen under your board's intermediate scheme might be employed to go on some creative or constructive work, such as the preparation of rose gardens, lawns, or flower gardens, I have to advise you that this matter was considered by the council's Parks Committee at its meeting held on the 7th instant, following receipt of the report from the superintendent of parks in connection therewith. " ' It would appear, however, that the proposals suggested by your department, would involve a great amount of strenuous work which would need to be carried out by men who are 100 per cent fit, ann it is not thereforo considered desirable that your proposals should be given effect to. However, tho superintendent of parks has been instructed that should any work be necessary whereon these men could be employed together, the request of your department will be given favourable consideration.' " This," Mr Hackett added, "after four months' negotiations does not entirely correspond with Mr Allum's statement that ' the council is of the unanimous opinion that every assistance should be given to returned men to enable them to rehabilitate themselves, and is prepared to prove this in a practical way.' "