BUILDING TRADE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 549, 5 June 1933, Page 5

BUILDING TRADE

(Press Assn.-

UNEMPLOYMENT BRD. SUBSIDY UP TO 50 PER CENT. OF WAGES ' CREATING EMPLOYMENT

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

Wellington, Sunday. The re-introduction of the Unemployment Board's No. 10 (Building) Scheme on more liberal lines is announced by the chairman, Mr. J. S. Jessep. The subsidy, formerly restricted to men engaged from th'e unemployment register, is now payable to all workers engaged in building, up to one-third of the award wages. When men are engaged in the erection of a dwelling costing more than £650, the subsidy will he increased to 50 per cent. The board is considerin'g the extension of the scheme to include tradesman whose work may be done away from the job; Mr. Jessep explained that the board aims to create employment as distinct from relieving unemployment. The building trade and its allied occupations, it is estimated, have 90 per cent. of their workers unemployed.

The stimulation of this industry must produce a more marked improvement than similar measures in any other trade. Building workers are highly skilled 'and it is not good efficiency that their craft should be allowed to diminish' for some time. He urged the need for houses which workers could afford. Recalling th'e provisions of the former scheme* Mr. Jessep said. it has been decided to pay a subsidy on 40 hours a week. The board has the assurance of labour officials that it is appreciated that th'e board, iri its effort to meet the situation these times. is obliged to take steps which unionists would normally oppose, and do not regard this as a precedent in normal tiiaes. "The ohject of _ the sch'eme," con-

cluded Mr. Jessep, "is the revitalising of stagnant industry and the re-ab-sorp«tion of skill'ed tradesmen into their calling. "The board looks to employers and workers to do their part toward producing creditable results."