PROVIDING WORK

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 171, 6 August 1937, Page 5

PROVIDING WORK

-Press Association.)

Minister 's Plea For Co-operation

( By Telegraph -

WANGANUI, Last Night. Stating that the unemployment question was one which demanded the sinking of all party differences and requir*d hearty co-operation between the Government and local bodies throughout New Zealand, the Acting-Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, said at a conference in Wanganui to-day 0* local bodies and other organisations that the Government had a heavy responsibility, but that other bodies must also do their sliare. • The Minister added that the principle of sustenance was wrong, morally and economically. The unemployed wanted work, and it was incumbent on the Government and local bodies to find that necessary work. Tho men on sustenance wero consumers, not producers, and no man was happy unle&s he, too, could render some serviee to tho community for what he received. The Government desired to give these men the opportunity of expressing their energy in useful and creative work. ' ' They can do nothing but consume vealth while on sustenance, but the moment we take them off sustenance thej begin to create wealth," said the iVJinistex•. He added that of the men now registered as, unemployed, 12,000 to 15,000 required to be classed as unable to accept work even if it were ofiered.' Mauy were incapable of contributing to the community services, but this faetor was no fault of theirs, aua provision had to be made for them. "Many men cannot render good social serviee with a pick, shovel, or wheelbavrow, but we must find evenues to suit them. The men who are prematurely old and cannot keep up with the pacc of roodern industry must also be provided for," said the Minister. He referred also to the Government super.anuation scheme, which, he believed, would be law before this time next yeav. The scheme would give the people of New Zealand the econoinic security to Which they were entitled as , 4 fcttfoaal right.