H—3s.

Scheme No. 4b. With the approach of the 1932 winter it became evident that farmers were finding the prevailing economic conditions so severe that the expense of paying two-thirds of the labour cost of contracts for developmental work presented no small difficulty. This state of affairs soon became reflected in a falling-off of applications for labour on a contract basis, and as the Board was desirous of continuing this scheme in view of the fact that it is probably the best method of ensuring that value is received for work done by relief labour, the Board decided in July, 1932, to raise the subsidy basis to 50 per cent, of the contract price. Since then applications have increased to well above the normal figures experienced in the corresponding period of 1931. At the end of September, 1932, there were 784 contracts actually in force providing for the employment of 1,609 men, while 883 contracts had been completed by that date. Some 2,032 men had been paid off as a result of completed contracts, so that altogether a total of 3,641 men had been placed under Scheme 4b, at an estimated cost in subsidies of £37,000. In the supplementary portion of the Board's report for 1931 figures were quoted showing the extent of developmental work to be carried out by contract labour under this scheme. This information is now brought up to date, and from the following statement some idea may be gained of the value to the community of the developmental work on farms already done or to be carried out eventually by means of contracts approved under one of the minor schemes of the Unemployment Board : — Acres. Scrub-cutting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 52,730 Bushfelling .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 17,750 Stumping, grubbing, &c, .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,815 Sowing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,235 Ploughing and harrowing .. .. .. .. .. 2,100 Top-dressing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 840 Chains. Fencing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 26,620 Draining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20,875 Roading .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8,875 Splitting posts, battens, and strainers — Posts and strainers .. .. .. 28,000 Battens .. .. .. .. .. 137,100 It is estimated that the above work will make provision for the carrying of the following additional stock : Sheep, 79,200 ; cattle, 16,500 ; poultry, 500 ; pigs, 80. Farm Camp Scheme. This is a recent subdivision of Scheme 4, necessitated by the inability of many farmers to avail themselves of Schemes 4a or 4b. Small camps of single unemployed men are set up on farmers' properties, and the labour may be utilized for developmental work only. Each camp must absorb a minimum of four men, the remaining conditions of employment being similar to those laid down under the rules of Scheme 4a. The men receive a subsidy of 10s. per week, and, in addition, the Unemployment Board pays the farmer up to 7s. 6d. per man per week to help to meet the cost of providing food and accommodation. Numbers of farmers, particularly Crown tenants, who for financial reasons are unable to employ men through Scheme 4a, but nevertheless are in definite need of additional labour to develop their holdings, are being granted the use of unemployed labour under this scheme. At the same time a new avenue of productive work for the unemployed has been opened. In order not to preclude small farmers from participating it is permissible for several farmers to organize a camp of not less than four men to carry out work on a co-operative basis, work being done on each property in turn. By the end of September, 1932, some 950 men had been given employment in farm camps, the estimated cost of the engagements (including allowances payable to the employers) being £13,200. There were 535 men in farm camps on 30th September, 1932, under this scheme. Scheme No. 11. Large areas of pastoral country in New Zealand are, Crown land held under lease. During the current period of depressed prices for wool many leaseholders, especially those whose lands are in high country, are unable to undertake the cost of holding the rabbit pest in check. A consequent danger arose of such pastoral areas becoming overrun with rabbits. The most recent of the Board's employment schemes (No. 11), formulated with the co-operation of the Department of Agriculture, was devised to deal with the situation. Under its provisions private owners or occupiers of rabbit-infested lands may apply for the services of eligible relief workers through an employment bureau after approval of the proposed activities by an officer of the Department of Agriculture. The employer must provide camp equipment, food, implements, rabbit-poison, and all other necessary materials, and also insure the men against accident or inpiry. All rabbitskins obtained remain the property of the workers. The Unemployment Board pays a subsidy of £1 per week for each single man and £1 10s. per week for each married man engaged, plus ss. per week to the employer as a contribution towards the cost of food supplied to each man. In the case of unoccupied Crown lands which are infested with rabbits, workers may be engaged by a Stock Inspector, the necessary camping equipment and other requirements being found by the Lands Department, which appoints an overseer to supervise each gang of workers, who also retain the rabbit-skins. Payment to the men in this instance covers the cost of food, which they are required to provide themselves. The rates are £1 15s. per week for single men and £2 ss. for married men, which amounts include a contribution of 10s. per week from the Lands Department.

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