CHARITABLE AID.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3869, 10 November 1928, Page 2

CHARITABLE AID.

FOR IDLE FLAXWORKERS. PRINCIPLE DISCUSSED BY HOSPITAL BOARD. At Thursday’s meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board, an important matter of principle was raised wihen the (Charitable Aid Officer submitted the following question to the board for its decision: If a man is offered work in the flaxmills at 13/6 per day and refuses it, is he a destitute person entitled to charitable aid? The chairman (Sir Jas. Wilson): It seems to me that if a person is offered work at 13/6 and won’t take it, he cannot be described as a destitute person. It is a question, however, of not the man so much as his children, who will suffer. Mr. Monk: It is the women and children we must provide for. We cannot let them starve, and it appears as if they may become a charge on us for what their husbands should provide. Our duty is to the wives and children. I think the part mostly to be deplored is that the union secretary should advise the men not to go to work but to seek charitable aid. Mr. Nash: The trouble is the men are not allowed to work as they like, but only as permitted by the unions. Mr. Moody: I take it that there are other sources they can apply to for help. Thejf have their unions. A member: There are no funds in the union. Mr. Moody: They are free agents. If their union has no funds and won’t let them work, let them pull out and get employment. The secretary: Rent is always the first thing asked for in these cases. If I am to grant relief, am I to pay the rent? The chairman: Food comes first. We should provide food, but I don’t think the rent. On the chairman’s motion, it was decided to authorise the charitable aid offijeer to grant relief to the wives and families of flaxworkers while unemployed.