EX-SOLDIERS IDLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1922, Page 5

EX-SOLDIERS IDLE.

WORK FROM LOCAL BODIES. NO GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY. ATTITUDE CRITICISED. By Telegraph.—fcress Association. Christchurch, Last Night. At a meeting of the City Council last night a letter was read from the Premier in reply to an inquiry as to whether the Government would subsidise money expended by the council in providing work for unemployed, Mr. Massey stating the matter had been considered by Cabinet and it was regretted such expenditure by local bodies could not be subsidised. The Premier added that in order to meet the position in regard to unemployment the Government was setting up relief works in various parts of the Dominion in connection with the Public Works Department. At the same time the Government expected local bodies also to do their share in the matter of relieving unemployment in their respective districts. Councillor D. G. Sullivan. M.P., said the council might have received a more sympathetic reply from the Government. The Government were not making any serious attempt to deal with unemployment. It was not right that returned soldiers should have to go from house to house collecting bottles or selling writing tablets. He moved that a reply be sent expressing dissatis faction with the contents of Mr. Mas sey’s letter, and he hoped the Govern ment will either subsidise local bodies or take more effective steps to overcome unemployment. Councillor Herbert thought the council should do something itself and not lean on the Government

Councillor Martin said a regrettable feature of the position was the callousness with which big business men who made expensive tripe Home were discharging their employees. People did not realise the extent of unemployment in the city. Or. SulFvan’s motion, with the addition of a clause asking the Government to state what relief works were started in the vicinity of Christchurch or the South Island, was carried.