RELIEF EFFORTS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 222, 13 May 1932, Page 5

RELIEF EFFORTS

(Press Assn.'

premier's appeal government doing all possible to meet problem RECENT OUTBREAKS DEPLORED

— By Telegraoh — Copyright').

WELLINGTON, Thursday. Interviewed to-day regarding the recent disturhances in Wellington, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, stated that the Government is doing all it possibly cari to meet the" unemployment problem. "There is no doubt that it is a very difficult problem," said Mr. Forbes, "and dealing with it is so largely governed by the amount of money availaTble.'' The Minister of Employment (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) and the Unemployment Board were giving anxious consideration to devising the best method of providing for the unemployed by means of relief work schemes and the provision of food in cases of want and distress. "No man is working more sincerely and sympathetically in the direction of affording relief than Mr. Coates." Mr. Forbes continued, "and I feel, therefore, that all right-thinking citizens will credit him with making an earnest and sincere endeavour with the funds at his disposal. "I think it can be generally recognised that the troubles we are experiencing are almost entirely brought about by the world-wide economic conditions, cjver which we in this Dominion have no control. Must Have Co-operation "The Government, in its efforts to bring about the rehabilitation of the country's affairs, must look to the community generally for assistance and co-operation and self-sacrifice, ensuring that beneficial effects, which it is hoped will accrue from the Legislative measures which have recently been passed hy Parliament will be fully achieved. "I greatly appreciate the excellent spirit which has been shown up to the present by the citizens generally, a large number of whom are solely feeling the strain of the prevailing stressful conditions. They have been responding most generously to the financial calls made upon them by various organisations, which are devoting their attention to the relief of distress among the many unfortunate men and women out of employment. Sympathy Jeopardised "I am afraid that the continuance of such a sympathetic feeling is not going to be encouraged by riotous actions and vandalism on the part of a certain seetion of the unemployed, such as caused destruction to many business premises in Wellington and Auckland. It is to be regretted that such action must inevitably have the effeet of discouraging that souree of co-operative help. which the Government must rely on to make provision for the unemployed." As was well known, he continued, a certain amount of money had been made available by Parliament by way of unemployment tax and it was recognised that this tax was a very heavy burden on a large seetion of the public. Cost Exceeds Revenue "The sum involved at present rates of pay to relief workers will, it seems, be likely to absorb more than taxation revenue hy the end of the period for which it has been provided," Mr Forbes proceeded, "and it is, therefore, all the more desirable that citizens should be encouraged, rather than discouraged to continue their generous response to appeals on behalf of the unemployed, which has been such a gratifying factor in the present emergency. "No good purpose can be possibly served by extreme action on the part of relief workers and the destruction of property. On the contrary these actions must render the position more difficult. "I also wish to take this opportunity of expressing the Government's appreciation to those who have voluntarily come forward to act as special constables, to maintain law and order. They deserve our warmest commendation. I would also like to.express appreciation at the manner in which the police exercisecl patience and tact in admittedly trying conditions, and in the disdharge of their difficult tasks. Their behaviour affords a marked tribute to the allround efficiency of the force."