The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1928. PUBLIC WORKS AND RELIEF WORKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 October 1928, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SA TURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1928. PUBLIC WORKS AND RELIEF WORKS.

IXtuing the discussions on the Public Works Statement much was heard about relief work for the unemployed. The chief complaint of the Labour Party stnmge to> say, was about the rates paid. The members of the party did not express any appreciation for what was being done in making work for those unemployed, but chiefly confined their criticism to the rates of wages paid. The complaint was that standard rates of wages were not oeing paid. Ministers were at considerable pains to explain why the regular rates could not be paid, but as usual the critics declined to see the distinction between the ordinary public works of the country, and special works provided in different localities for the immediate relief of those out of employment, and in dire need of work. The Prime Minister explained it was not the task of the Government to find or ereate jobs for men out of work, nor had any Government in New Zealand said it was their responsibility. They bad bad unemployment periods in the last 40 years, and men had been put on to certain work for

a short time and taken Off. But it was not the policy of the Government to create fluctuations of that kind. They could not make public works the plages for the unemployed, said Mr Coates. The Government’s programme of public works was for purposes of greater development—hydro-electricity, irrigation, railways, etc., all of which were scheduled. The men employed on those works had been on them for many years; they were experts, and the men who could most economically complete those works: It meant much to the taxpayer that public works should be carried out at the cheapest possible cost, as the ; taxpayer of the future would have to pay. They had to select such works and carry them out on the policy that the user shall pay for those works, for their completion and the service received, and not the taxpayer. That was the policy lying behind it. Their programme should be set out far ahead. So far ,a.s the other side was concerned they had set aside certain works, but not at standard rates. The Labour Party had said they were wages. They were relief works—9s a day for the single men, 12s for the married men. It was not the Government’s policy to encourage men to go on those works. A man could get a job on those works at those prices to tide him over a difficult period but it was relief, not wagas. That was the difference It followed out a policy that it would be wrong for the State to become responsible for the employment of every man who could not get a job. '[’he responsibility for the future rested upon those who were in office. Many of the policies in the Government programme had boon carried out. The finances of the country and its credit were the best reflection of public opinion. The people from whom we borrowed money were the people whose opinion that had to consider. New Zealand was borrowing money at a cheaper rate than other countries, and had the confidence o' the financial world. Nothing worse could be said of this country than that its finance was unsound, anti that they were undermining the financial standing it held amongst the countries of the world. The cost of Government had increased, but the Government contributed largely to the social administration of the country. Let them look at public health, charitable aid and education. Who would do a way with any of them > Regarding administration, the cost of the administrative side of the Government was reduced by £90,000 last year. Air Coates was thus able to make it plain that the Government was not acting unfairly in the matter. The Public Works Estimates this year involve a very large total, and it will be quite imnossible to carrv all the works out within the financial year. Indeed that has never been attempted yet. But the point is that more work should be offering at standard rates undei the ordinary public works system, and

there should lie less application for relief works to meet the peculiar demands of localities where congestion in the labour market has resulted. The general condition of affairs within the Dominion seems to indicate that trade and industry are fairly buoyant, and with the usual spirit following the- appearance of the more congenial seasons of the year, there should also be more general employment offering, and less demand also through that cause' for relief work. Looking back over a difficult year the Government on the whole appears to have handled the unemployed situation with a considerable degree of success, and with easing conditions now should meet the immediate demands with equal success.