UNEMPLOYMENT AND FLOODS.

Evening Star, Issue 20132, 23 March 1929, Page 16

UNEMPLOYMENT AND FLOODS.

TO Till EDITOR. Sir, — As a ratepayer and candidate for the 'council, I wish to record m.v protest against the proposed loan ot £25,000 for the relief of unemployment in our citv. The Finance Committee has declared that the borrowing of such a large amount will mean a inithcr increase in rates, which already are as high as—in fact higher than---they should be. The subsidy by too Government will he conditional on tin--money being expended mi approved public or reproductive works, and it is roadilv admitted that such works will he difficult to provide. The position from the viewpoint of _ both ratepayers and tho unemployed is certainly complex, and shot through with difficulties as far as the council be concerned, However, 1 have no hesitation in stating that there is no need ior it loan, and tho necessity of going to tho Government cap in hand, soliciting n subside on borrowed money, may ho obviated. About twelve years ago tho council diverted irom the trading account a sum ol TIU.OOi) lo establish an insurance, fund. 'J his amount was deemed sufficient for immediate likely requirements then. To-day that fund has in its credit about £56,00(1. 1 suggest that the £IO,(HX), together with the accumulated interest at 6 per cent, per annum over the whole period, ha withdrawn from the insurance fund, and that the Government be asked to subsidise it £1 for £l, or if possible, £2 for £l, and the whole of the amount bo expended as the council may deem wise for the relief of the unemployed on a £1 for £1 basis. The sum of £34,000 would thus be made available with no increase of rates. Tho insurance fund would then stand at about £40,000, which should bo sufficient for the time being. Afe tin* money was made by Ibe trading councillors of the city, whose customers arc the ratepayers, including quite a proportion of the present unemployed, it is only right that in a time of need they should participate. This city has over £1,000,000 in reserve, and there is absolutely no justification whatever for the proposed loan of £25,00(1. in addition, money will have to lie found to compensate tho unfortunate people who have suffered so greatly as a result of tho Hood. Tho City Council must accept the responsibility for the, disaster, which was Nature’s indictment against divided interests, gross negligence, and lack of foresight. Tho Harbour .Board and City Council must face tho issue. Lake Logan and a considerable area on tho harbour front have been reclaimed, ami. the Leith Channel has been narrowed to an extent that in time of flood, assisted by a high tide, means the result which we have experienced—a catastrophe. Provision must be made .straight away against a, recurrence of such a. calamity. Dredging operations must be carried on in the harbour, a less inadequate outlet for the surplus waters be provided, tho course of tho stream must he made less tortuous, and latticed concrete walls (without the reinforcement of growing and dead trees), from a distance above the school in the valley will require to be built. Safety for the community is one of the first, laws to be observed in all municipal administration, and where this law is disregarded it is sure evidence of insufficient capacity or courage of the administrators. The immediate duty of the council is to afford the needed assistance and relief to those affected by the flood, and engage every unemployed man in the city to dear away the silt deposited by the Hood waters as quickly as possible, especially from tbo homes of the people, otherwise we may soon he lamenting not only tho destruction of property, but the loss of life. —T am, etc., G EDUCE P. CUTTIUSS. March 23.