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Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1931, Page 4

When the meeting was held about a fortnight ago at Oreymouth to hear the exposition of the schemes lor absorbing unemployed, Mr Bromley on behalf of the Unemployed Board referred to the new schemes to help farmers then about to be sanctioned. These have been approved now, and the Minister of Finance reports provision for an expenditure of £IO,OOO under Scheme No. 4A of the "Unemployment Board. One of the conditions of employment under this scheme is that a man must have been registered as unemployed for at least 14 days, and must have paid his contributions to the unemployment fund. Ip is strictly provided that no ordinary employee on a farm shall he discharged to enable a farmer to take advantage of the board’s offer of a subsidy. Farmers must sign a declaration that since December 1, 1930, they have not discharged, and will not in future discharge, any employee in order to take advantage of tin's or any other of the IxKrd’s schemes. "Workers will be engaged for periods ranging from four to 23 weeks, with the right on the part of farmers to discharge a man at any time for unsatisfactory work or conduct. The board will subsidise the wages agreed upon at the rate of 15s for single men, and 25s a week for married man, free board and lodging to bo provided by the farmer where necessary. A scheme, known as No. -ITU is complementary to 4A, and provides for farm development work by contract labour. A variety of work is included under this scheme. The Unemployment Board’s subsidy will be for labour only, and will amount to no more than one-third of the contract price, the total subsidy in each case IK)[ to exceed €75. The subsidy will be paid on completion of the work or in progress payments on the certi'irate of the Department of Lands and Survey. These schemes it is expected. in addition to helping to reduce unemployment. will also assist in adding to the productivity of the countrv, by bringing a larger area ol land into profit.