THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY JUNE 21, 1929. THE UNEMPLOYMENT SCHEME.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5438, 21 June 1929, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY JUNE 21, 1929. THE UNEMPLOYMENT SCHEME.

In another part of this issue appears the report of the decision to build as well as the Cenotaph a Rest room and Plunket room. Thus both aspects on the question will be answered, and from now on there is no reason why the whole project cannot be gone on with to ultimate <>ver whelming success. Those who di-1 net find a memorial in the form of a cenotaph to their liking will now be able to give of their best with those who favoured the cenotaph. There remains no reason on this score why they should hold back. The utilitarian and ethical sides of the question have been answered, and in doing so not a fraction of a penny is to be added on to the rates . The significance of that will be readily realised. Apart from the money the Borough Council proposes to allot to the purpose, all money must come voluntarily. To the sum total will be added a Government subsidy of an equal amount. The whole magnificent proposal will be paid for by those who live and give their money now. The next generation will not be called upon to find the smallest amount—nor for that matter will the pyesent, after the sum has been subscribed—for it is a matter of clearing all expenses to-day, leaving no debt for to-morrow. And to anyone who has any knowledge of local affairs this is a truly remarkable thing, and a tribute to those who have evolved the scheme. Apart altogether from how to find the necessary money, the Mayor and his council had to face the difficult question of what work to do, and how to apportion it, so that the terms whereby the Government subsidy could be obtained would be fulfilled. To secure the Government unemployment subsidy it is required that at least 60 per cent, of the money expended is devoted to the payment of labour. That allows but little for the purchase of materials. Thus it will be recognised that the Borough Council was hard put to it to devise a scheme that would fit in with this order of things. The report published to-day shows how successfully the council has surmounted the difficulty, and to what good purpose. A somewhat larger sum has now to be found, but keeping in mind what it will eventually mean, nothing should hold one back, whether one can only afford the smallest contribution or can freely proffer a large donation. There are many ways, too, besides, or apart from, subscribing in which the individual can help. Primarily the money is being raised to give employment to the workless, and this work to be made available will be constructive and lasting. In years to come the men who will benefit by gaining employment, and who will be responsible by their labours in effecting the proposed improvements, will be able to look back with pride and say, “We are responsible, it is our work.’? No halfformed clay road to look back on, but something concrete and lasting. And in those days to come may it be that the inen who are to-day in dire extremitiesi are in steady employment, with no fears as to the future, and can look back on to-day as merely an unhappy chapter in their lives.