GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 13, 15 July 1937, Page 10

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY

CITY DOING ITS SHARE

LIMITED FINANCES

Under the Government's offer !o provide a subsidy up to £4 a week for men taken on by local bodies from relief work and sustenance during the winter months upwards of 250 men will be employed in Wellington, according to a statement made by the Mayor (Mr. T. C. /\. Kislop) at last night's meeting of the City Council. Replying to suggestions that the city might do more, Mr. Hislop stressed the fact that the money available to supplement the offer was limited and that the council would be doing its full share. The chairman of the works committee (Councillor W. Appleton) said that full advantage was being taken of the Government's very generous offer, and some comprehensive proposals had been formulated. Had it not been for the scheme the committee would have had to put off between 70 and 80 men. He thought that the Government should be thanked for its offer, and that it was the responsibility of all local bodies to take advantage of the opportunity and help the Government out. "MAGNIFICENT OFFER." Councillor R. McKeen, M.P., said he agreed that it was a magnificent offer, and he thought every effort should be made to get as many men employed as possible. The Government had undertaken to provide for 500 men in Wellington city and suburbs, and a special •effort should be made by the council. The scheme was a splendid opportunity to get a considerable amount of work done. 'He was confident that money sufficient to pay the difference between £4 and the wage of £4 6s 9d for more than 250 men could be found. The Mayor said that at the meeting called by the Acting Minister of Labour (the Hon. P. C. Webb) it was quite impossible at such short notice to say how many men the city would be able to take on. However, he had been able to say with complete safety that at least 100 men could be taken on. After going thoroughly into the question with the various departments he was satisfied that up to 250 men could be employed. Arrangements were made for a start on Tuesday on reserves with 125 men, but the men could not be supplied and as a result the start of the work had been held over for a week. He gathered that Councillor McKeen thought that the council was not doing its part. Councillor McKeen: I think we could do more. . The Mayor: We are bound as responsible men to see that we can carry the number of men we say we will take on. By taking on up to 250 men, together with other matters which would come before the council later in the evening, the whole of the contingency vote would be exhausted, Mr. Hislop continued. If Councillor McKeen could show that other money I was available he would be very happy to hear of it. From the city's point of view the scheme should be availed of to the full, but that could only be done to the extent of the money available. Councillor McKeen: Is there no possibility of our finding the extra money? The Mayor: We will continue to take on more men as long as we can. Councillor McKeen: We have the ratepayers shouting at us because we have raised the rates, and we attempt to justify it by saying that the rates must be increased in order to carry out the job. Here is the Government offering the rrpney, and I think we should make a special effort. A special effort was being made, replied Mr. Hislop. The rates had been struck and could not be raised again. If the council used all the money available for the scheme it could do no more. The Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) had urged that every effort be made to ensure that the work was carried out as efficiently as possible, and had suggested the adoption of the piece-work system. GIFT OF £17,000. Councillor P. M. Butler said that the Government's offer meant a gift to the city of £17,000 for 250 men, and it was for the council to say if it wanted more. He proposed that the works committee, the Beautifying Society, and the electricity and tramways departments should go very carefully into the position and see what extra money could be made available. Councillor J. Burns, chairman of the reserves committee, said that the Government's offer was a wonderful one and the best possible use should be made of it. The reserves committee had five or six parks and grounds half completed and all badly needed, for today 25 per cent, mora playing area would be at once filled up. Unfortunately the completion of a ground did not end the liability, for at once there was a demand for dressing sheds and conveniences. It would be a great assistance if the Minister would agree to their erection out of the money allotted. Councillor Butler said he understood that that could be done. QUESTION OF MOTOR CAMP. Councillor J. Read suggested that the reserves committee should pay particular attention to the urgent need of a motor camp, work upon which would provide for a good many men. During the winter months the area would be available as a playing area. Councillor Burns said that a report upon the motor camp was being brought down.