HAPPY ON THE DOLE

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1930, Page 12

HAPPY ON THE DOLE

COMMUNITY OF MINERS. AUCKLAND LAWYER’S IMPRESSION. After a visit to Australia, Mr, I, J. Goldstine, solicitor, of Auckland, returned on the Maunganui this week. When passing the shores of Lake Macquarrie, near Newcastle, Mr. Goldstine saw hundreds of unemployed miners and their families living in a big encampment. “They were as happy as sand. boys,” remarked Mr. Goldstine. “All were in receipt of the Government dole, amounting in the case of men with large families to as much as £4 a week. “They had no incentive to work, their bread and butter and even a few luxuries, being assured. Most of their time was occupied in the pleasant and profitable occupation of fishing. As far as I could gather, this thriving community was perfectly willing to go on living on the dole. It seems high time that the dole was stopped.”

Mr, Goldstine said he had not been impressed with tjie town-planning scheme at Canberra, where he spent some time, During his stay in Sydney and trip through the State, Mr. Goldstine saw no signs of depression, although his professional and business friends told him that money was tight and business slack. To the__tourist, however, everything appeared normal, the well-dressed crowds appearing happy and prosperous, and the shops thronged with customers.