UNEMPLOYED

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1930, Page 3

UNEMPLOYED

IN GUEST OF WORK

lij . elcgraph Per Press Association j

HAMILTON, June 12

-Some pertinent remarks on the sutijuct or unc.,iploymeut in. his district were made by Mr W. Hill, of the Roto-rua-Waikato .Hospital Boiird, to-day in po’-iting out that three’sdhemeS in tlie v liaturo of- • iuneiuloyificiit .reliefthose, of the (Rotorua-Tailpo Road, al'foreistat'ioii'- and a place in arid--' hear'-- .' Rotorua.., < All •j-lill said that the--authorities in. Auckland and- elsewhere' -'vVere freely ana chonglitkMsiy sendiu'g iiion.into tlie dis trict, irrespective’-of- whether, or., not Ohs were available lor them. As a result, the town had been invaded by unemployed, causing a strain on the 1 ©sources of the Hospital Board s outdoor relief fund. He had’the greatest rlimnilty in dealing with these cases, a large .number of which 'came before him each day. Tie did his best for tlioni, while at the same 'time guardinn- tlie interests of the Board, some of the men were usual imposters, and were making a living at the game, and were adopting it as a profession. Piers had tramped a long distanceto get to Rotorua. As tlie result of local authorities’ advice lie had seen more than one/ instance oi men with their toes sticking out ol -their hoots. Uanv ol tliein were willing t<V tackle work, hut they could not- get u. They were hungry and homeless.” On*" simply had to do something for"them'undpr t-ie circiunstsiiH'os.'

It was, said Mr Mill, most- unfair of the Public Works Department and of the Afforestation works "to attract men whom they could not employ immediately. They often kept penniless men waiting for days while they pot authority, to employ them. This delav. through the outdoor relief, meant a heavy tax on the ratepayers, but lie could not see bow it was to be avoided if one was to exercise any humanity at all. The end was not yet in sight, b\* anv means, men were still coming through in droves, said Mr Hill.