PRODUCTIVE WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 July 1939, Page 6

PRODUCTIVE WORK

PROPOSALS TO ABSORB UNEMPLOYED CONFERENCE IN MASTERTON. OUTLINE OF FARM SCHEME. An outline of proposals to place unemployed men on work of a productive nature was given at a conference in Masterton this afternoon of local body representatives, Government departments and other interested parties by Mr W. G. Simpson, liaison officer, Department of Labour. Mr Simpson stated that the aim of the Government was to place all physically fit unemployed men on productive work. It was felt that these men could be placed on the land if the cooperation of all representative bodies and farmers was forthcoming. The only men to remain on Social Security benefit would be semi-fit men. He appealed for the fullest co-operation of all parties. Under the 4B scheme work that could be carried out on farm properties consisted of bush-felling, scrubcutting, stumping, logging, drainage., cutting of new drains, improvement of existing drains, clearing noxious weeds, sub -divisional fencing and other developmental work, such as manuring. which 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 and an arrangement had been made 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. (Proceeding.)