LOCAL BODY WORKS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 99, 21 January 1943, Page 3

LOCAL BODY WORKS

Outlet For Returned Soldiers’ Labour

In a circular letter to all local authorities. the Rehabilitation Board is asking for details of works they might carry out that would provide employment lor exs'ervicemen. The object ot the board is to have the works incorporated in a national scheme. . . "The Rehabilitation Board is desirous of taking into consideration any proposals which local authorities may have for developmental or other work connected with the rehabilitation of men returning from the war,” states the circular. "It is realized that in a large number of cases proposals may not yet be fully developed, but in order that the work which they involve can be incorporated in a national scheme, it is essential that as much information as is now available should be furnished to the board as soon as possible. The information desired generally covers construction work on the execution of which returned servicemen, both skilled and. unskilled, can be employed directly. Sueh work yvould include road and street imr provement and extensions and developments. slum clearance, river and flood protection, harbour improvements, reclamations, land drainage, afforestation on local authority areas, tramway extensions, provisions of essential civic amenities, etc. Reclamation and .Slum Clearance.

"Particular regard should be paid to works such as reclamations or slum clearance, which on completion will provide facilities for industrial expansion which can be utilized to employ returned servicemen of another class. If the local authority contemplates entering into housing development apart from the .State, details of this also should be given. "The above is a general indication only of the information which is required, but local authorities may submit proposals for any other class of work which will give the effect of employing returned servicemen.” A request is made by the board that the works the local body could finance aud those for which a subsidy would be required be indicated.