UNEMPLOYED RELIEF

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 212, 20 June 1933, Page 3

UNEMPLOYED RELIEF

SMALL-FARM PLAN.

TO DEVELOP 20,000 ACRES

(Per Press Association;

WELLINGTON, June 19

The immediate development of approximately 8000 acnes, preparatory to settlemen't, was given tentative approval at a recent meeting of the Small Farms Board. Within the next few months the board hopes to have at least 20,000 acres in hand. The present areas being considered are situated in the vicinity of Te Kuiti, Hamilton, Rotorua, Dargaville and Kaitaia. -

The Unemployment Board has intimated to the Small Farms Board its willingness to consider proposals for establishing camps for unemployed in any locality to undertake the reconditioning of abandoned Crown securities .or holdings subject to mortgage to the State.

The importance of these activities in relation te unemployment is emphasised by the Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom), who explains that in the areas actually being settled they will afford openings for 140 or 150 men. But the land is unimproved and will have to be prepared for settlement, so nearly double these numbers of men will be taken out of the ranks of the unemployed and given work in the way of clearing, stumping, reconditioning, road-making and fencing.

The Minister said there was a strong demand for land under these conditions. "It is impossible to satisfy all the applications on hand," ho said.

COAL AT RELIEF RATES.

MINISTER, REJECTS PROPOSAL

OHRISTCHURCH, June 19

Tho Ohristchurch Unemployment Committee at its last meeting suggested to the Minister of Mines (the 'Hon. C. E. MacMillan) that miners unemployed on the West Coast should be put to work at relief rates to mine coal for their fellow unemployed. The Minister's reply was before a meeting of the Committee to-day. He stated that he had already authorised the manager of the State Mine to supply coal to the Relief Committee at bedrock prices, and he was unable to give effect to the suggestion. "I may add," wrote the Minister, "that the miners employed at the State coal, mines are not working full time, and any attempt to add to the number of employed by engaging more men at relief rates would lead to results which would be far from, satisfactory."

APPEAL FOR £IO,OOO.

DECISION OF DUXEDIN MEETING

DUNEDIN, June 19

At a largely-attended public meeting to-day presided over by the Mayor, it was decided to make an appeal for £IO,OOO, for the relief, of distress in the city.