PRODUCTIVE WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 June 1939, Page 4

PRODUCTIVE WORK

ABSORPTION OF UNEMPLOYED

CONFERENCE TO BE HELD NEXT WEDNESDAY. IMPROVEMENTS ON FARM PROPERTIES. A conference is to be held in the Masterton Municipal Buildings on Wednesday next at 2 p.m. between Mr W. G. Simpson, liaison officer of the Department of Labour (Employment Division) and representatives of Wairarapa local bodies, the Farmers’ Union, workers, stock and station agents, Government departments and others interested to consider the absorption of unemployed men in work of a produe • tive nature; A special invitation is being extended to farmers, as the proposals being put forward are particular concern to them. It is intended to set up a committee to work in conjunction with the local placement officer. Speaking to a “Times-Age” representative this morning, Mr Simpson said splendid work had been done by local bodies and other organisations in providing employment for unemployed men, but unfortunately a large number of the works carried out were merely of a makeshift character. The imperative need of the moment was immediate transference of physically fit men to productive work, such as improvements on farms. It was recognised that there would be a certain percentage who, for physical or for any other causes, could not be placed on the land, but it was felt that the majority could be so placed if the Department received the co-operation of all representative bodies concerned in the matter of putting forward suitable propositions for the absorption of the unemployed on productive works. The only men to remain on Social Security benefit would be semi-fit men. There was no reason, with the support and fullest co • operation of all organisations concern - ed, why the Department’s aim at getting men employed one hundred per cent on productive work should not be achieved.

Mr Simpson stressed the great possibilities of the 413 scheme as far as farmers were concerned. Work that could be done under the scheme included bush-felling, scrub-cutting, rush-grubbing, stumping, logging, drainage of farm lands, cutting new drains and improvement of existing drains, clearing noxious weeds, subdivisional fencing and other developmental work that would increase the carrying capacity of the farm. Labour would be arranged on a contract basis and the subsidy would range from 50 to 75 per cent of the labour cost, but only in special cases would the 75 per cent subsidy be paid. Any farmer could avail himself of the scheme. An arrangement had been entered into whereby the State Advances Corporation would assist certain approved farmers by way of providing them with the necessary finance to enable developmental work to be carried out on their properties under the scheme. The Government would be prepared to subsidise up to 50 per cent of the labour cost in hand distribution of manure on hill country. Married men must, accept work undei’ the scheme unless they had adequate reasons for bein'g exempted.