LOCAL BODY WORKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 January 1939, Page 3

LOCAL BODY WORKS

RESTRICTION ON SUBSIDIES STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF LABOUR. ENCOURAGEMENT OF FARM DEVELOPMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. In future applications for work to be done by local bodies under subsidy from the Employment Promotion Fund (Scheme 13) would be closely examined, approvals would be limited and in addition the less valuable works being done through the subsidy would be discontinued, said the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, in a statement yesterday. Though the work being done by local bodies under the scheme was, in most cases, valuable as it created public assets, the Government was anxious to see the men engaged diverted into normal channels of employment. Mr Webb said other avenues were being investigated and to encourage workers to go on to the farms, the subsidy under scheme 4b would be increased.

A review of all subsidised works will be put in hand shortly and the least useful or required will be discontinued, reasonable notice being given to the employing authority in each case,” the Minister stated. “Applications for subsidising of new works will, of course, be subjected to very close examination, in order that approvals may be strictly limited to the economic value of the work and* expected available labour supply.

“Though several avenues of additional employment are being explored,” continued Mr Webb, “it is not practicable at this stage to give even ar outline of such, but a full announcement will be made at the appropriate time.

“It may be mentioned, however, that with a view to increasing the volume of farm developmental work and enabling a somewhat greater number of men to obtain work at their usual occupation, or at an occupation in which they will acquire some useful knowledge, it has been decided that from January 30 the subsidy on this class of work performed under scheme 4b shall, in the case of applications received after that date, be increased from 50 per cent of the labour cost to 75 per cent thereof.

“The conditions of the scheme are not being changed and it will be necessary, as hitherto, to restrict employment upon each contract to men engaged from the unemployment register through district employment officers or certifying officers, as the case may be.”