UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

Marlborough Express, Volume LXVIII, Issue 148, 25 June 1934, Page 6

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

& • SYSTEM CRITICISED. SURVEY BY ROTARIANS. In September of last year the Rotary movement in New Zealand set up a special committee to report upon the question of unemployment relief. A report was duly made at the annual conference of Rotary clubs which was held at New Plymouth in March, and the special committee was asked to go into the matter further. The committee, which consisted of Messrs T. C. List (Governor of Rotary in the Dominiori) , ' Earle Vaile (Rotorua) , Dan Bryant (Hamilton), Olaf Holst (Wanganui), H. French (Hastings), W. G. Black and F. Nathan (Palmerston North) , J. McLeod (New Plymouth), and Sir Joseph Smith (Auckland) , reeently met at Palmerston North to examine the situation again in the light of recent developments, and it passed the foilowing motions: — 1. That the whole system of relief as at present carried on should be reconsidered, as it is tending to perpetuate unemployment with its accompanying hardships and demoralising infiuence on the lives and attit.ude of the men and their families. 2. That unless planned work of a constructive nature is provided the Dominion must permanently have the care of a big proportion of the present unemployed as well as having an increasing number of young

people 011 its hands. To meet or substantially to mitigate the problems the committee recommends: — 3. The immediate adoption of a system of subsistence farming on the lines successfully initiated in Napier and Hastings. 4. The provision of farm training for boys by the establishment in suitable centres of modified Flock Houses, and the creation in the schools oi a "landmindedness" among the rising generation. 5. The development of our national resources, commencing with (a) afforestatmg blocks of land alongsdie established communications that have gone back into second growth, ana coastal land that is now being overwhelmed by sand; (b) goldmining on a comprehensive scale; (c) growing of selected flax; (d) extension of fishing industry; (e) tinning of fooastuffs now imported. 6- That active and adequate support be given to the scientific research organisations in investigating the prospects and possibilities of other industries and extending ' the present ones. 7. That, if found necessary, temporary subsidies out of the unemployment funds be given to economically sound and promising existing or new industries, but that the granting of subsidies be conditionai on due regard being paid to the effect on other industries and to the internal requirements of the public. To this end the committee suggests the setting up of an industrial board of development in order to co-ordi-nate with various industrial activities and to advise the Government. 8. That immediate attention be given to the necessity for development of the tourist resources of the Dominion, and t-o this end suggests co-operation between transportation — shipping, railways, and motor services — also tourist agencies and hotels. 9. That efforts be made to find profitable work for women' who are now contributing to the Unemployment Fund, and consideration be given to making provision for the establishment of domestic training institutions in various centres. 10. That in the meantime it urges the adoption of the Bristol scheme which aims at helping established trades to keep their work-people employed and to putting rnoney into circulation. If the Government or the Unemployment Bogrd decides to give effect to a programme following a co-ordi-nated national recovery plan along the lines suggested, the Rotary clubs in the Dominion offer their hearty support and co-operation. But in the promotion of such a plan the committee desires to emphasise the importance of possessing a vision of the ultimate objectives and the social importance of not allowing profits and material considerations to affect human values and the social well-being of the community.