COSTLY WORK

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18756, 12 July 1935, Page 4

COSTLY WORK

RELIEF 1 IN DOMINION Strong criticism of tl>c present system of relief works, on the ground of mi economic expenditure and inordinate cost to the country, was expressed by Mr G. Lawn, lecturer in economics a I Canterbury ('Diversity College, in an address-given to (bo Institute of Public Administration. Mr Lawn was speaking of the construction of transport facili 'irs. He saitl that it was dangerous to think, as there was a tendency to 1 hink in New Zealand, of transport in terms of the provision of employment. ‘‘Relief work as, it is at present organised, with under-rate pay and men working Iwo or three days a week, is 'he most costly kind of work that this country 'has ever experienced,” bn id Mr Lawn. “If the public were shown a statement, based on sound costing nrineinles. of the unit cost of much of 'bo work that is being done to-day under (he nant<’ of relief work, tile public would be appalled. ‘Mt is most undesirable that iif"y 'rensnort. facilities should he constructed hist to-provide employment.” he added. "The solution of the- unemployment problem lies in another direction. The only way to secure effective transport services i< to consider the transport ‘•onuiremenfs to the country, its prodim five capacity, and its ability to pay.'