ANOTHER PLAN

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1932, Page 5

ANOTHER PLAN

TO AID RELIEF THE GROWING OF VEGETABLES. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) AUCKLAND, June 27. . The inauguration of. an extens’-vef j scheme "for the cultivation of vegetables by unemployed men, as an aid to them and to their families, was announced by thq Alinister of Employment \ to-night. . Air Coates said that the cost of unemployment relief the-, community would amount to' over £3,500,000 for the current year, and there was, in this alone, a very good reason for the co-operation of citizens, who could even at some personal inconvenience, set aside large or small , areas of land for the purpose. They, a« well as retired growers, .professional and amateur and others, could render most valuable service in the way of advice and supervision.

“I hope,” said Air Coates, “that volunteers .will' come forward and give their knowledge and enthusiasm to the scheme. There ar« many vacant sections and email plots which can be utilised for the purpose. “The Government and the -Unemploy- -4 rnent Board," Mr Coafce.s continued, “realise how desirable, it is thaf. there should be an opportunity for se'f reliance on the part of the unemployed. As a matter of fact, the Board has already ruled that one of tho conditions attaching to the granting of relief is the cultivation by the relief workers of any suitable land which lie owns or occupies, or which is made available to him, but this does not neceswrVy achieve the desired purpose unless there is compulsion behind it. It has to be admitted that success along this line has so far been spasmodic, • rather than general, and it is verv desirable that some effective organisation should be established by which this means of improving the living conditions of the relief workers should be availed of to the utmost. It should be easily possible, with public support, for the relief worker to be placed in a position to grow in one year, from £ls to £2O worth of vegetables for himself and bis family. Needless to say, this will be a very great help as an addition to his earnings on relief work. The work involved wifi be done, in the men’s own time, and the desire that many have to help themselves should be encouraged. Occasionally, there may be surplus produce, but it is •laid down that .av surplus stocks from land provided under the scheme shall , not be marketuAidg. i>v.gil.able , ._to.. those who are in need, and who, through lack .of means, coui’d not purchase in the ordinary way, '