AIDING THEMSELVES.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1932, Page 6

AIDING THEMSELVES.

It is pleasing to note that in some directions people are realising that something more than criticism of the Government’s efforts is necessary if the unemployment problem is to be solved. The Mayor of Rotorua has placed before the unemployed in his district proposals for a system of land settlement, which are stated to have been welcomed by the men themselves. Apparently the scheme is to break in a large 'block of land with the labour of a co-operative party, and then to subdivide the land into holdings, upon which those who have done the initial work will be.settled, with financial aid from the State until the farms have become self-supporting. It is a proposal that needs a good deal of careful inquiry in regard to its finance, and its success will very largely depend upon the class of men it is proposed to help. Nevertheless it is at least a constructive suggestion and merits careful consideration. Another instance of the application of the same principle of self-help has been the proposal of the ‘ unemployed in the One Tree Hill district of Auckland. They have suggested that they make an organised appeal to the residents of the district for any work that is available, such, work to be paid for by “credit notes,” at relief rates of pay, and its distribution to Ibe made by the unemployed men’s organisation so that all may share it fairly. The workers guarantee good workmanship and good faith with the public. Naturally upon these conditions the success of such a scheme must depend. Like the Rotorua land proposal, the Auckland suggestion needs careful inquiry before being attempted. At the same time it does appear to be an effort on the part of unemployed to recognise it is the individual’s responsibility to seek work and not to depend upon either public or private charity.The more that sense of responsibility can be fostered the better, and the sooner will the solution of the problem of unemployment be discovered.