UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1929, Page 13

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

POSITION IN NEW PLYMOUTH HOSPITAL BOARD CO-OPERATION. RESUME OF COMMITTEE’S WORK. The hopes entertained by the New Plymouth Unemployment Relief Committee of obtaining the co-operation of the Taranaki Hospital Board in a scheme whereby employment would be provided by both bodies to men receiving charitable aid were lessened when Mr. S. J. Smith attended the committee’s meeting yesterday as a representative of the hospital board. Others present were: Messrs. P. E. Stain ton (chairman), AV. G. Reid and G. W. Palmer (secretaries), F. J. Hill, J. Brown and C. Cartel I .’Apologies were received from the Mayor (Mr. IT. V. S. Griffiths), Messrs. R. J. Dearc (Taranaki Hospital Board), G. R. A. Whiting, and T. 11. MePhillips. The matter of unemployment was more important to the board than to the committee, said Mr. Smith. From time to time unemployed men had applied to the board for assistance, and great difficulty had been found in hclpTim them. Since the committee had been formed the position had been much easier, and he thought that if, it continued the same the board iVould be able to keep its expenditure within the bounds of the relief funds until the end of Ae year. He failed to see, however, where the board could co-operate with the committee. The position was that when an applicant came for relief the board gave temporary assistance and impressed upon him the necessity of finding something for himself. Necessary work at the hospital had often been given, and the board obtained some return for the assistance it had given. But it was impossible for the board to agree to the suggestion that men who were receiving this assistance be transferred to the committee’s list as they might then be on the hoard’s books for several months instead of being put off in a week or two, which was the board’s main desire.

■■NOT INSUPERABLE.” I Mr. Stainton thought the difficulties .were not go insuperable as they appear- ' ed, and that with representatives on the committee the board would soon realise the position. It had not, lie thought, been the policy of the board to provide work for unemployed, but it was keen to get the best return and do the best for all concerned. Mr. Smith explained that the board would be forced io discontinue givingrelief if it knew that a man would go on the unemployed committee’s work. Mr. Palmer considered the board’s attitude was due to a misunderstanding of the proposal, which was merely to supplement the assistance given by the board to an income sufficient to provide the necessaries of life, apart from house rents ami other like expenses. It was immaterial whether work was found by the board or the borough council, said Mr. Stainton, provided useful work was done. In any ease it would be .saving the ratepayers’ money and a genuine attempt- would be made to get the men off the “dole ’ system.

Givino- a resume .of the committee’s activities, Mr. Stainton expressed thanks to the-secretaries for the casual employment they had found for many men whom the committee had been unable to put on its list. When the subsidy was added to the £1245 the committee had to spend on borough works there would be a minimum of about £2OOO available, to which could be added the £lOOO Government grant for the Kaitake afforestation.

The weather had been against the work on Doralto Road, but he commended the way in which the borough engineering staff and the works committee had had the work opened up in several places to facilitate progress whenever it was possible. Works to the value of £1142 had been authorised by the borough council, and with the money in hand, plus subsidies, they should be able to complete them al).

WORK FOR THE PARTIALLY FIT. The hospital board had found work for several men who were only partially physically lit, and he suggested that the committee authorise the employment in Te Henui cemetery of five or six of these men to relieve the board, on which they had been dependent for some time. He hoped there would be no misconception of his proposal, for the work would apply to only one corner where old soldiers were buried. It was impossible for the present staff to give sufficient time to the plot, and it would be evidence of the committee’s desire to co-operate with the hospital board. No subsidy would be available for the work. The amount spent already was £225. continued Mr. Stainton, and it would have been more had there been fine weather. They owed the borough council a great deal for keeping drays for the work and. holding over other jobs that might have been given preference. Supplies and money had been provided in certain cases by the New Plymouth Relief Association, and the hospital board had arranged with the Government that its social welfare committee work in conjunction with the relief association and obtain a subsidy. The linking up of the chain would prevent much overlapping, Mr. Stainton con- . sidered. Mr, Smith promised work immediately for a gang of men if they -were ready, and the committee agreed to accept the offer if the conditions were suitable. From a working point of view Mr. Stainton did not think any town in New Zealand was in a better position as regards unemployment, nor were better efforts being made in any district. The work was being carried on smoothly. and the men were receiving enough to keep them from starvation. Mr. Stainton’s remarks were endorsed by Mr. Smith. The committee resolved to send a letter of thanks to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Works, and Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., for the £lOOO grant for the work on the Kaitake ranges. Six men are to be employed by the committee at the cemetery for a fortnight at 12s a day, provided tho proposal receives the approval of the works committee of the borough council.