UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1931, Page 3

UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM

WHANGAMOMONA COUNCIL’S VIEW

MORE MEN WANTED IN COUNTRY

The Prime Minister wrote to the Whanganiomona County Council yesterday pointing out that the local bodies had borne a very creditable share in the efforts made to provide work for the unemployed. The concentration of unemployed men in various centres had created the problem of transportation of workers to distant jobs, and the additional overhead cost had to be borne by many of the local bodies. Representations had been made to him on the subject, particularly in regard to districts where very few men were being placed on work outside the cities and boroughs. He asked local bodies not to overlook the fact that they, along with the Government, had real responsibilities with respect to the unemployment problem, and he appealed to them not to allow the cost of transport to affect the interests of the unemployed. The provision of essential work was largely within the discretion of the local bodies, as long as they did not contribute to the unemployment problem by reducing the number of their regular employees. As relief wages were refunded by the Unemployment Board local bodies could carry out valuable work at relatively small cost to the ratepayers. It was necessary that every effort should be put forth to alleviate distress during the winter, as it was assumed that conditions would improve in the spring by the absorption generally of the unemployed in production. He emphasised the necessity for wholehearted co-operation /between local bodies, the Unemployment Board and the community during the present crisis which, he hoped, was but a passing phase. Or. Law said the Government should deal with the unemployment relief scheme on different lines. At present a lot of work iwas being done in towns that was practically useless, and too great a percentage of the money was being expended in and around the towns. The Government should establish camps into which the single men could be diverted and placed on reproductive work in the country.

Civ Ford pointed out that the council was doing its duty by finding work for all the unemployed within its area. It was unfortunate that it could not secure .men from the towns to do necessary work. The chairman; They could live more cheaply in the country. ■ Cr. ' Ford said that the Stratford County Council had discussed the matter and had suggested that the Public Works Department should establish camps into which the single men could be’ placed and engaged in road construction work under tlie Public Works Department, say for a month, and then given a month off. Their wages’ could be rationed and paid ou the same .basis as at present. The back country Required roading and such work would be more productive than the work that was being done .about the towns. A letter had been received from theWhangamomona branch of the Farmers’ Union suggesting that relief workers should be placed on the Mangare Roa'd, but that was a work that would cost £9OOO fo £lO,OOO. . The chairman said he understood the Government had some such scheme in view but there was the difficulty that unless the money was rationed to the men they would have very little money left when the work was finished. Cr. Law said he understood, -that of 47,000 unemployed only 5000 were en.t gaged on farms. More of the money should be devoted to developing land, even if it were to cost mere than the land, was- worth. . .■

The clerk stated ■ that -tlle- allocatibnfor tlie uneniployed in the district had been reduced from £2O to £l5. ' , Cr. Law said his sympathies w’ere' with the unemployed. He did not hold with the .chairman .of the Stratford. County Council that a percentage of the men were “sponging” -op .the Community. The majority were honest workers. ' ’■ . '

. Cr. Ford suggested that the council should, ascertain the number of houses and wharcs available in the county, with the object of inducing some men from the towns to come to the district. They would' be saving considerably in rent and genera j could live more cheaply in the, country. Cr. Law said he ■ would like to see the Stratford County. Council take adr vantage of the unemployed labour to improve the Stratford saddle, which was certainly dangerous. Whangamomona County was vitally interested in the matter. - ■-

.- The chairman said he thought Strafford was deferring the matter until if had been decided'whether a tunnel would be put in. ' ' Cr. Roberton said he did not think the Whangamomona. Council could take any action as a council because the ratepayers used the road and paid nothing towards its , cost.. _ „ Cr. Law considered that considerable improvement could be effected at . very little expenditure in cutting corners.