RELIEF SCHEMES

Southland Times, Issue 22131, 27 September 1933, Page 8

RELIEF SCHEMES

GORE BOROUGH’S PROPOSALS. DEPUTATION TO UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE. A special meeting of the Gore Unemployment Committee was. held last evening to meet a deputation of the Works Committee of the Gore Borough Council to discuss the question of various proposed works which were recently submitted by the council for approval as unemployment relief jobs. These works were considered by the committee at its fortnightly meeting last Thursday night when several of the proposed jobs were not approved and the committee expressed the view that permanent works should not be carried out by relief labour. There were present Messrs W. D. Shelton (chairman), J. Hunter, G. W. Whittingham, F. M. Murray, W. O’Byrne, R. W. Noake, S. Newell and J. Sleeman. The deputation consisted of his Worship the Mayor (Mr A. T. Newman) and Councillors A. H. W. Aitken, W. T. Trusler jun., A. McLachlan and G. C. Hamilton and Mr D. Harvey (Town Clerk). The chairman expressed the hope that the deliberations of the two committees would result in an agreement on the matters under consideration.

The Mayor expressed the appreciation of the deputation that the committe had agreed to receive the deputation at short notice. It had been felt that if the Unemployment Committee heard the views of the council an agreement might be reached. The council’s applications were then read and the chairman invited the deputation to state the particular reasons for each job. Mr Shelton said it had been the policy of the committee to support wholeheartedly the policy of the Southland Executive to concentrate as far as possible on reproductive work.

The works which had been disapproved or held over by the committee were then discussed. The Mayor said that since the commencement of the depression the council had not discharged any of its permanent employees, nor had it reduced their time of employment. Tire case of constructing a footpath and channelling on Crombie and Devon streets was then stated. The application had been lodged because the council had no intention of doing the work as it had no funds available for it at the present time. In this case no man and no contractor was being done out of a job. Even if the council did decide to do the work, if rates came in particularly well, it was probable that the work would be done by the council’s permanent staff. Therefore, the council had -no intention of doing any men out of possible work. The position of extending the sewer in Elizabeth street was similar. The council would not proceed with the work at the present time unless some help was forthcoming from the unemployed as no provision had been made by the council to expend money on the job at the present time. Other works of a similar nature- would come first if the council were required to foot the bill. The other project, that of improving the Croydon Domain, was in a similar position. The council could not at present undertake any expenditure on this domain, but it would be a very valuable work if the job could be carried out. The council had always endeavoured to work harmoniously with the committee in the past and although there might have been minor breaches the council had, as far as possible, observed the spirit of the committee’s policy. Speaking with reference to the footpath work in Crombie and Devon streets, Councillor Aitken said that as the council had no intention at present of proceeding with the work the committee’s decision had not assisted the unemployed in securing permanent employment and had merely penalized the borough. He expressed the hope that in future the committee would regard more favourably the applications of the council and realize that there was good reason behind the requests.

the chairman said that the explanation had thrown a very different light on the requests made, and he was sure the committe would be very glad to give further consideration to the requests. A friendly discussion on the matter would prove very beneficial. In reply to Mr Noake, who asked for more information concerning the proposed work at the Croydon Domain, the Mayor said it was desired to improve the picnic area which was still in a very primitive state. A considerable amount of work could be done with great benefit to the domain.

Councillor Hamilton said that recently a track had been cut alongside the stream and led through most beautiful bush scenery. Unfortunately there was no direct access to the domain from the Waimumu end and the new track was not of great benefit in the meantime. The council was negotiating to secure access to the domain and required men to construct the track over, this portion.

After further discussion the deputation withdrew and the Unemployment Committee discussed the questions that had arisen in committee.

It was subsequently reported that it had been decided to recommend for approval the work at Croydon Bush and to supply to the Southland executive committee details of the other two proposed works and ask for a ruling.