MINISTERIAL APPROVAL OF SCHEME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22365, 12 September 1934, Page 14

MINISTERIAL APPROVAL OF SCHEME

Mr J. A. Young, Minister of Employment, sends tlie following message:— It lias been brought to my notice that it is proposed to launch the Bristol scheme in Dunedin with a view to providing further employment. In my opinion the promoters are undertaking a very praiseworthy work, and one in which both the Unemployment Board and myself wish them the greatest possible measure of success. I may perhaps mention that a principle akin to that of the Bristol scheme was adopted by the board in December, 1930, the hoard subsidising to the extent of 50 per cent, the wages of relief workers employed by citizens. As, however, it was found that the scheme lent itself to abuse and that this

could not be remedied and yet leave the scheme practicable, the board was reluctantly compelled to determine the plan. During its short life, however, the scheme induced a wages expenditure of £71,000. I feel certain, however, that had a greate? degree of personal contact been possible the benefit obtained would have been many times this figure. As the promoters of the Bristol scheme will be able to effect that desirable personal contact and arouse local sympathy, there appears no doubt that their efforts will result in relatively very much greater results.

It may be apropos to remind the citizens of Dunedin that a spontaneous and consistent effort, in the nature of a friendly gesture, to re-employ men in

SPONTANEOUS AND CONSISTENT EFFORT

their usual occupations can scarcely fail to have repercussions vastly beneficial alike to the unemployed aiul to established trades, and should also serve not only to make secure the positions of those already in employment, but materially to assist in the gradual reduction in the list of registered unemployed. With such a goal as an incentive, I trust —indeed, I am sure—that the citizens of Dunedin will generously respond to the call and put in hand at once work which will enable our unemployed or scrni-unemployed to obtain increased employment and so pass on the benefits to their wives and families and ultimately to all classes of the citizens of Dunedin.