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Proposal suggests beggars get paid to pick up cigarettes

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Wed, 29 Nov 2017, 6:26AM
The idea has been rebuked by Wellington council. (Photo/File)
The idea has been rebuked by Wellington council. (Photo/File)

Proposal suggests beggars get paid to pick up cigarettes

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Wed, 29 Nov 2017, 6:26AM

There are questions over whether there's any dignity in paying Wellington beggars, to pick up cigarette butts.

The idea's come from a city residents' association as the city council considers fining people for dropping butts.

Inner-City Wellington has suggested beggars collect cigarette butts in a plastic bag and exchange them for cash.

However, the council's social development portfolio leader Brian Dawson has his doubts about the idea.

"There's not a lot of dignity in that, and for me it is about recognising the dignity of people, and this is particularly a group of people who already that's a challenge. They are already in undignified situations, if you like, and we don't want to add to that any further."

His views have been echoed by Compassion Soup Kitchen manager Karen Holland.

"We don't believe that this proposal meets the community need, and neither does it provide a dignified response to housing deprivation."

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