UNEMPLOYED RELIEF.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1928, Page 8

UNEMPLOYED RELIEF.

Whatever views may be held as to the principle underlying the provision of relief works as a remedy for unemployment, the residents of New Plymouth and district can at least congratulate themselves upon the able manner in which they have been administered by the local committee. From the purely financial aspect expenses of administration have amounted to but Ij per cent, of the expenditure. Those who have been in touch with the work of the relief committee know the immense amount of time that has been given cheerfully by every member, particularly the chairman (Mr. P. E. Stainton), and the trouble that has been taken by the executive to deal sympathetically with real hardship and at the same ■time to see that a fair return wag received by the community for the funds provided. The committee was able to point to street improvements carried out which will be a permanent asset to the town. It is to be hoped that the appeal to property owners who have directly benefited by these improvements will not be fruitless. There is still a considerable number of married men unemployed, and funds are therefore urgently needed if they are to be afforded relief. The assistance rendered to the Egmont National Park Board by the Minister for Forests (the Hon. O. J. Hawken) in its work of afforestation is valuable, but despite this there is still an undoubted demand for employment from a good many married men. It is proposed to bring the fund to a elose at the end of August, and, having regard to the excellent results so far achieved, it would be a great pity to see the committee’s effort brought to a standstill by lack of funds. The response to the appeal has been generous, and if it can be sustained and increased for a few weeks longer the unemployment difficulty in North Taranaki should be very nearly overcome, at least, so far as this winter is concerned.