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Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1930, Page 4

The. Borough Council took a practical step on Friday night in setting up the member!* of a local committee to deal with unemployed matters. It is apparent that from time to time various schemes will he put forward to grapple with unemployed matters, and a local committee constituted, will be able to function promptly. Under ill? No. 2 scheme now operating, there is the opportunity for farmers in particular and the citizens in general to have much extra work done about their properties under the subsidised scheme up to 7s per day, the employer to arrange the wages and up to 146 per day, the Unemployed Board will find half of the cost for labour only. One difficulty here is tli© absence of a labour bureau. Hitherto, the registrations are taken at the Post Office and despatched to 'Grey.mouth, hut there Is not any local record . of the registered unemployed. If this is remedied, and the unemployed of the district are known it will be possible from time to time to apportion available work, and so relieve pressing, dintress. It is necessary also for the Unemployment Commissioner n.t Wellington to appoint a local civil servant to act with th" local committee, his special duty being to certify to subsidies earned, and on his certificate the amount hecormn payable at the local post office. Once these necessary details of administration are put in running order, the committee will he readv to deal with Duplications for subsidy and work, and all concerned should become interested in the details, and set about complying with the simple regulations. The proposal is a praiseworthy effort to deal with a very difficuh (situation, and the ready co-operation of all is. essential 1 to make a success of the undertaking. The work specially encouraged by th" Board is In the cleaning up of land and improving its utility. This is a very useful phase for the farmer. The Board offers its subsidy for improvements to and maintenance of land by wav of istone clearing. stumping, draining, fencing., rush grubbing or cutting or spraying, scrub cutting, and work of a similar nature. Harvesting will he subsidised, also ploughing; and harrowing after clearing only. Jn /towns, gardening, wood chopping, section clearing, subsoil drainage, trenching, etc., will he subsidised; also clerical work when distinctly extra as a means to provide employment. It will he seen there is a comprehensive onening for many town and country folk to take advantage of the offer, and if it is put in proper work in" order, will result in a large amount of useful work hein" done, while at the same time providing; neeessarv work for those seeking it. No doubt everv effort will he mod" to put the scheme into working order a« nniekb' as possible, and meantime application," for work and snhffdv should he notified as early as possible.