CAMPS FOR UNEMPLOYED

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1932, Page 9

CAMPS FOR UNEMPLOYED

SCHEME IN EGMONT COUNTY

METALLING BACKBLOCKS ROADS.

ACCESS TO AID PRODUCTION.

COUNCIL TO GIVE ASSISTANCE. There is a probability of camps for unemployed relief workers being established iu the Egmont county for the purpose of metalling about nine miles of the Wiremu Road in sections from the Kahiii Road to the Oeo Road, and for work on the upper Ihaia Road above the Wiremu Road. Recognising that these were ideal works °on which unemployed could be utilised, as they would bring into production a considerable area of fertile land that was already divided into small sections and settled, the Egmont County Council is asking that camps be established. and to that end has agreed to pay the costs of tools, insurance and transport for the metal. .The decision arose from the visit to Wellington of a deputation from the council. The deputation, comprising the chairman (Cr. W. C. Green), Cr. Collins and the engineer (Mr. J. G. Mclvor) which interviewed the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, on February 25 reported that Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., had given every possible assistance. The position regarding the Wiremu and Ihaia roads was-placed before the Minister but he was unable to hoH. out any hope of the work being done by the Public Works Department. Mr. Coates, however, referred the deputation to the Unemployment Board, which granted an interview in the afternoon. After considerable discussion the members of the board invited the council to suggest the work as being suitable for the establishment of single men’s camps, the council to find tools, insure the men, provide the transport necessary for the road work, and supervise the- work. It was considered that the supervision of the work might be placed under the jurisdiction of°the Public Works Department. The matter of rebuilding the Punehu stream bridge was also placed before Mr. Coates. PETITION FROM SETTLERS. The deputation also asked support for a petition from Mr. D. O’Sullivan and four other dairy farmers with a total of 283 cows, asking that steps be taken to provide access to the land on the Ihaia Road above the Wiremu Road to enable them to milk, cows on the properties. With the road in its present stated that was almost impossible. As money had been on the estimates for the last two years for forming the road they asked that something be done to enable the land to be brought into production. The chairman said that at the outset it had been suggested that if the camps were established the council should transport the men to the camps, supervise the camps and the cook houses and purchase the necessary supplies. It was also suggested that the settlers for whose benefit the road was being constructed might be prepared to provide the men with meat, milk, vegetables, etc. The deputation, however, had pointed out that they were not prepared to undertake the supervision and control of the camps, nor could they ask the settlers to give the supplies as suggested. The council was already under considerable expense in supervising work now being carried’out by unemployed, necessitating the employment of an assistant for the engineer, whose time also was to a great extent taken up with the work of the unemployment committee. The council, however, was prepared to transport the men from the nearest station to the work, provide tools and the necessary transport for the cartage of metal. In all, therefore, thp council would be finding about £lOOO, if the scheme were adopted, of a total expenditure of £4OOO, and it was for the council to consider whether it could finance the proposition. Cr. Shepherd understood that some shacks had already arrived by train. Cr. Tosland considered that the council should take the opportunity of having the work done by unemployed as suggested. Production must be kept up and opening up -country in the backblocks would tend to achieve that object. Cr. Collins regarded the Wiremu Road as one of the most essential outlets in North Taranaki, as it passed through good fertile country, cut into small holdings. Metalled access would result in increased production. He understood that in Wellington as many-as 8000 to 9000 unemployed had to “stand down,” and the board should be glad to get some of those off its hands and engaged in useful work. After making sure that the council could stand up to its part of the obligation the council should ask the Unemployment Board to put the work in hand.

The chairman considered the council would be able to finance its share of the obligation. It would not be necessary to find the whole £lOOO in cash; some of it would be in value.

Members were strongly in favour of having the work done, even if it were necessary to curtail expenditure'on the main roads. It was unanimously decided to ask the Unemployment Board to establish camps. Cr. Tosland said that in view of the urgency of the work the council was justified in agreeing to face a maximum expenditure of £lOOO.