SUBSIDISED LABOUR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 217, 13 August 1937, Page 9

SUBSIDISED LABOUR

DRAINAGE BOARD APPLICATION. FULL DISTRICT COMMITMENT. With a view to co-operating with the Department of Labour in its efforts to place relief labour in lull-time employment, tho Makerua Drainage Board recently made application loi 13 men under the £4 per week subsidy scheme for improvement- work on Seifert’s, Mubin’s and Rowland’s drains. However, the board was not successful, as at yesterday’s meeting a letter was read from the department stating that a full commitment for Palmerston North district had already been made. In its application the board had advocated a piecework system. “My board would prefer,” the letter stated, "that the work be undertaken under a piecework basis, and it would suggest that a suitable basis be arrived at which would enable a reasonably efficient employee to earn at least £4 per week of 40 hours with every prospect of earning more according to his ability. . . . The board feel that it is only fair that a reasonable day’s work should bo done for tho value offered.” “It may be,” said the chairman (Mr H. Seifert) yesterday, “that there are no men left, or that our suggestion did not appeal.” Mr T. D. Lynch: And it may be that the money is running short; perhaps a little of each. (Laughter.) The reply was received.