USES FOR RELIEF LABOUR.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18929, 26 April 1933, Page 6

USES FOR RELIEF LABOUR.

There is much dissatisfaction about unemployment and the relief provided for it. The recipient of the relief considers it entirely inadequate, the public consider the work given by the relief man as of little value, and both are right. It is a subject on which it is impossible to give satisfaction; the best that can be done is merely a palliative.

One .essential is that there shall be as many employers as possible, and for this purpose much more use and much better use might he made of local authorities. There are many local bodies Avho have ivork that Avants doing, Avork of value to the district and to the community. They cannot do this work with unemplojed labour, because material is required to make the Avork of any value Avhatever.

Already heavy liabilities have been thrown on local bodies for various charges connected with the employment of rfclief workers, and the provision of material is beyond the resources of these local bodies. One Avay in which this can he met is by the provision of loan money. If this AA’ere available the labour of ielie£ Avoikers AA’ould be of value in many districts where at present it is Avasted. It is to be feared that in the present frame of mind of many people that the public would not pass such a loan if it were submitted to them. Even more certain is it that the Local Bodies’ Loans Board Avould refuse permission for a loan.

What is Avanted is that the Government should endue local bodies with the right to borroAV up, to a certain moderate amount Avithout either holding a poll or obtaining the consent of the Loans Board. The loan should be for tho purpose of providing that AVhich is necessary if the operations of the relief Workers are to be of any value. The Unemployment Board could provide the same amount of relief "which they hoav 'give; the local bodies might decide to supplement tho Avages or not to do so, though if they are Avise they Avould supplement unemployment Avages up to £3 per week.