DEALING WITH WASTRELS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8365, 27 February 1913, Page 8

DEALING WITH WASTRELS

COMPULSORY WORK ADVOCATES Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, February 26. The problem of dealing with wastrels and drunkards in the direction of forcing them to do productive work for their ‘ ‘ keep ’ ’ and the ■ support of others dependent on them was discussed at this morning’s meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. The Nelson Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote, conveying the following resolution: “The Nelson Board desires to call the attention of the Government to a resolution .unanimously passed at a conference of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards in Wellington in June, 1911, requesting the Government to found some State colony or farm where wastrels, confirmed drunkards, and other worthless individuals could be sent, and earnestly requested that such a question shall be brought before Parliament for early consideration.” The chairman (Mr Horrell) said the resolution did not go quite far enough, It did not deal with deserting husbands, who, when arrestedj were put in prison. That was no satisfaction to the board, which was obliged to support dependants. It was felt that these men should be obliged to work and support their dependants. He would suggest that deserters should be added to the scope of the resolution. This suggestion received some sup* port. Mrs Cunnington, referring to English experience, said that a training farm should be added to a farm for wastrels. Mr Moore said he was convinced the resolution should go farther, and deal with those who refused, to recognise their responsibilities. Their support was becoming quite a burden on the community. He would certainly support the resolution, but considered it should go further. Mr Turnbull questioned even if men were on the State farm whether they would work. He might state that brickworks would be better anywhere where men would he forced to do a certain amount of work per day. The chairman quite agreed that the men should he put to some reproductive work. Mrs Cunnington added that the chief points were detention and the compulsory work. On public works men would run away. Mr Hall asked if the charitable aid committee would report on the subject and. give figures of desertion, because the subject was too big to be dealt with lightly. A motion in this direction was carried.