FARM DEVELOPMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1932, Page 2

FARM DEVELOPMENT

CONTRACT LABOUR SCHEME.

UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD’S HELP

The Unemployment Board's farm development scheme known as No. 4B is regarded by practical men as one of the. most valuable, from a national point of viaWj of all the ( plan s devised for increasing production and at the ■■ame time placing unemployed men in useful occupation.

Briefly, the 4B is a. scheme for providing subsidised labour on a contract basis, the. labour to be utilised strictly for work of la developmental character on farms., Tho work that may be undertaken under this 'Scheme consists of •buiifolling, scrub cutting, rush grubbing, stumping and logging, drainage on farm lands, cutting new drains, and improving existing drains, fencing and ploughing virgin land, and developmental work of a simi’ar nature. A 50 PER CENT. SUBSIDY. Towards the labour cost of such work the Unemployment B°ard now pays a subsidy of 50 per cent, '(formerly 33 1-3 per . cent.) and the fact that more than <2',000 farmers have arranged contracts under the Scheme is an indication that its Value is realised. Th e actual figures for the Scheme up to 15th November are as follows: — Applications approved 2036 M ! en employed ‘4358 Subsidies £45,000 VALUABLE WORK DONE. Following are details of some of the work accomplished as a result of this expenditure of money and human energy Bu-'hfelling, 18,682 acres; stumping and logging 6,084 (acres; scrub cutting, 63,159 acres ; fencing J 0,712 chains; draining contracts, 25,368 chains; post splitting for' fencing, 35,000 ; battens, 143,000 ; ploughing virgin land 2.639 acres; grubbing 5,176 acres; reading 1,000 chains. ADDITIONAL STOCK CARRIED. Already t!he effects of this'remarkable farm development campaign are noticeable in the largely-increased carrying capacity of mo>"t of the holdings where contracts under 4B have been carried out and it now appears to b c beyond question that .the 'Dominion’s primary products will be considerably augmented as a result. The areas already Trfade available are ex ~ pected to carry approximately 90,000 additional sheep and 22,000 extra cattle. Gratifying though this achievement is, another regu.lt fib at is eten more satisfactory is the placing in employment' of over 4,oC*> men and the .probability that many of them' will remain permanently on the land. INCREASED APPLICATIONS, The increase in the Unemployment Board’s subsidy from 33 1-3 per cent, to 50 per cent, of the labour cost of fllach contract has greatly stimulated applications by farmers for assistance in having developmental work carried out by contract.

Farmer s are urged to use every endeavour to take advantage of the opportunities offered under this Scheme. The necessary forms of application available at 'Post Offices, Government iLabour Bureaux, offices of the Lauds and Survey Department, and - from local unemployment committees. If the fullest advantage is taken of this Scheme it appears probable that many thousands of acres of now idle land will be brought into profitable occupation.

The Unemployment Board is asking for the assistance of landholders who are prepared to expend money and ;«o tend to eon,serve the Board’s funds.