WINNING GOLD

Southland Times, Issue 25307, 10 June 1935, Page 8

WINNING GOLD

UNEMPLOYED THEIR “OWN BOSSES.” MINISTER’S STATEMENT. (Per United Press Association.) New Plymouth, June 9. A refreshing and inspiring experience for anyone who -understands only the town aspects of unemployment relief was the description applied by the Minister of Employment (the Hon. S. G. Smith) when interviewed at the conclusion of his recent official tour to the West Coast of the South Island. On the West Coast, said Mr Smith, although there are over 2000 unemployed between Hokitika and Karamea, a relief worker is rarely seen except on a few special works, such as aerodrome construction. Two years ago the West Coast area was one of the most difficult administrative problems on the Unemployment Board’s hands owing particularly to the independent spirit of the people and the difficulty of finding sufficient suitable works under scheme No. 5. Accordingly, Mr J. S. Jessep, the former deputy-chairman, visited the Coast and inaugurated a system of grubstaking for the unemployed to go out of the towns into the hills to T win gold. To-day the whole scene is completely transformed and to visit there is inspiration. Twelve hundred West Coast unemployed are independent goldminers, grubstaked by board, and, for all practical purposes, their “own bosses.” The arrangements suit the West Coasters and makes them happy in comparison with the outlook of the unemployed in areas where.some opportunities cannot be given. At Humphrey’s Gully the Public Works Department is constructing a big water race which, it is estimated, will provide on one face alone 100 sluicing chaims which will each provide a good living for the owners for 20 years. “During the whole of my inspection I did not hear a single grouse,” said Mr Smith. “One came away convinced that the men and women who have shown enterprize and energy to leave behind them the aspirations of city careers broken by no fault of their own and strike out afresh this time to win their reward from nature itself instead of from society, are deserving of encouragement and help. The value of gold sales recorded by miners under the Board’s scheme in various parts of the country are about £150,000.”