AN UNFIT IMMIGRANT

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1930, Page 11

AN UNFIT IMMIGRANT

FAMILY’S NEED OF RELIEF. HOSPITAL BOARD'S BURDEN. The case of an immigrant who was passed as fit by an English examining doctor, but has suffered from miner’s phthisis during his three years’ residence in New Zealand, was commented upon by the Whangarei Hospital Board. Since his arrival in New Zealand the immigrant has worked in a quarry, and he has never been below ground. For some time his family has been on the charitable aid list of the Whangarei. Hospital Board. One member suggested that the doctor who had passed the man as fit should bear the liability. It was stated that the man was capable of light work. On the ground that employment was available for everyone, Mr. J. A. S. Mackay opposed the giving of charitable aid to such cases. He said he had authority for his contention that there was ample work in the statement of the Minister of Public Works. Mr. F. Elliott questioned whether it would be fair to pay a man not physically fit full wages for road work, or to ask workers on piece jobs to include him in their gangs. Mr. Mackay retorted that provision for such men should be made on relief works. . • .>• It was decided to continue the payment ofs. relief to the family in the meantime, and to ask the man to present himself at the hospital for examination.