THE RELIEF POLICY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 674, 28 October 1933, Page 5

THE RELIEF POLICY

(Press Assn.-

CARDS AND RADIO VIGOROUS DEFENCE BY « . THE MEMBER FOR WAIKATO MEN PREFER CAMPS

-By Telegrapji — Copyright).

Wellington, Friday. Statcments by Labour members ■that New Zealand was doing less than any other country by way of unemployment relief was challenged hy Mr. F. Lye (Government, Waikato >, during the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill in the House of Representatives this morning. Mr. Lye said one heard nothing from Labour benches but a tornado of words of little practical use to the Government. in dealing with the problem. ,A good deal had been sa,id about forcing single mem into camps. That was another stupid exaggeration. As a matter of fact the Unemployment Board was considering the question of closing down these camps because many men pref erred going into -these to taking employment on farms at £1 a week and found. In any case it was not the function of the State to find every man a job. The State would however, through the Unemployment Board, and where circumstances warranted it, provide a reasonable measure of relief. "There is abundant evidence," said

Mr. Lye, "of single men refusing to take jobs offered by farmers at £1 to 25s a week. They would sooner stay in camps playing cards all night or listening to the radio."