STRIKING SUCCESS

Southland Times, Issue 21855, 4 November 1932, Page 6

STRIKING SUCCESS

VEGETABLE GROWING. RELIEF WORKERS’ ACTIVITIES. Anyone who visits the community 'plots and home gardens in which relief workers are growing vegetables must be most favourably impressed with the progress that has been made and with the enthusiasm of the men. In every part of the town these plots are to be found, tangible evidence of the willingness of the relief workers to adopt the self-help scheme promoted by the Unemployment Board and sponsored by the Citizens’ Committee which was formed in Invercargill. Visiting officials were ready, shortly after the inauguration of the scheme in Invercargill, to concede that the southern city was a model for the rest of' the Dominion. No doubt they would be equally ready to bestow praise were they to see the scheme m full operation. , , , More than 900 relief workers have their home gardens and close on 200 have plots in the community areas which lie nearest to their home. Through the efforts of the Citizens’ Committee the men were helped considerably in procuring seeds and manure at reduced cost. The administration of the scheme is in the hands of the Government certifying officer (Mr P. C. Weenink), who is also a member of the committee, and his assistants. The supervision is more in the nature of help and guidance. Ninety-five per cent, of the men are so enthusiastic about their plots that they require no admonition. The few who are remiss are liable to learn that unless they are willing to help themselves they will receive no relief from the Government. But, as has already been stated, only a small percentage of the 1100 men are failing to co-operate whole-heartedly in the scheme. Yesterday a Southland Times reporter who visited the community plots and a number of home gardens in various parts of the town was most favourably impressed with the work being done. On an average the plots were an eighth of an acre in area and most men had planted half the ground in potatoes and the other half in cabbages, pees, beans, turnips, carrots, parsnips and such vegetables. Remarkable neatness was shown by some of the workers in their gardening operations. Others did not possess so deft a touch. But on all sides there was ample evidence of vigorous growth. In the Oteramika road community area one man had overcome the water supply difficulty by sinking a well in his plot. From this well he obtains several kerosene tins of water each day he visits his garden. Another man whose kitchen garden was a model had invented a combined rake and hoe to expedite his work. There were many other indications of resourcefulness and the spirit of self-help on the part of the workers, who should certainly receive from their plots sufficient potatoes and vegetables to last them throughout the year.