FOR WORK PERFORMED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 121, 24 May 1932, Page 12

FOR WORK PERFORMED.

DOMINION'S RELIEF SYSTEM. IMPROVING FARMS. TWO OPERATIVE SCHEMES. "The relief of unemployment in New Zealand is being undertaken in an entirely different manner from that operating in other countries. In place of a more or less modified dole system, New Zealand stands on a system of relief for work performed," states the Auckland Labour Department, in a recent, publication.

"This work is not to be mere task work which is little less demoralising than idleness. Useful work is aimed at, and, as far as possible, productive work. Fortunately, there is practically unlimited work of a productive nature waiting to be done 011 the occupied areas in the country districts. A large proportion of farms are capable of improvement. The present low prices for primary produce prevent many farmers from undertaking improvements for want of the necessary ready money. "The unemployment fund is being increasingly used to assist the process of improving farms. Improved farm lands will mean increased • production. Increased production will increase- employment in harvesting and handling the produce, as well as providing a greater exportable surplus to balance the Dominion's overseas finance. Our present aim is to bring the half-used land and the unemployed labour together. This can only be done on a relief basis at present, but when the improvements are effected many of the men will "be required on a permanent basis. The growing disparity between city- and country population will thus be redressed. The selfrespect of the worker will be retained by the fact that he knows his labour is not wasted. Neither will the self-respect and self-reliance of the farmer be undermined. There is no element of charitable aid on cither side. Invaluable Aid to' Farmer. "The provisions of the Unemployment Act Amendment Act and the Finance Act, 1931, will be so used that the farmer will refund in the shape of a special rate the net contract value of the improvement effected on his farm. As he has little available money, no payment need be made for the first two years and no interest will be charged. The refund payments will be spread over the remaining three years of a five-year period. This gives the farmer a loan, freo of interest, for an average of four years. It allows him two years' increased production to meet the cost of manure and seeds which the improvement will make necessary before meeting the labour cost of the improvement. This system has been in operation in the Auckland province for some time and may bo extended all over the Dominion. It will afford the progressive farmer, who is at present without a cash reserve, invaluable help through the present crisis. It will widen the field of employment in the country districts and relieve the congestion in the towns. It will lay the financial foundations for making relief from unemployment in a large measure self-supporting in the future. It will reassure the payers of unemployment taxation that their contributions are assisting to rehabilitate the Dominion. Farm Allotments. "In addition to farm improvement by the unemployed from the towns, the farm allotment scheme will settle all over the country some thousands of men, who are at present unemployed and consequently deteriorating, in positions where they can by their own efforts become self-supporting and independent. It will also provide in the rural areas that reserve of intermittent labour which is at present lacking. The two systems will work together and support each other. For farm allotments, land is necessary. In the same area where it is desirable to place a worker on a farm allotment, there is frequently a farm or farms which need substantial improvements effected. These can be achieved by the use of unemployed labour. Instead of a refund of the j value by a special rate, the liability may be liquidated by the transfer of a piece of land sufficient for the farm allotment required. The house will be provided out of the special fund. The most suitable of the men who have been working in the district on farm improvements may be selected as occupiers of the allotment. With the co-operation of the county councils and other rural local authorities, the Labour Department and the Agricultural Department, such an impetus can be given to primary production as will stem the tide of depression and place the Domini.m in a position to take the fullest advantage of the turn of the tide to prosperity."