RELIEF PLANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 114, 17 May 1933, Page 8

RELIEF PLANS.

MARRIED MEN'S CAMPS FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT. MINISTER'S APPEAL As part of the Unemployment Board's winter relief plans, there will shortly be considered the question of drafting city married men,- in small groups, to country camps, conducted by the Public Works Department, at which full-time employment, with wage.-; baeed on a rate of 10/ a day, will be available. An appeal for Auckland's co-operation in the scheme was made to-day by the Hon. Adam Hamilton, Minister of Employment, who said it was essential that the load of relief carried by, the cities should be lightened dining the winter, so chat the condition of the Unemployment Fund should not be imperilled, and in order that casual work in the cities might reach a larger nuin-

her of men. As far as Auckland was concerned, arrangements would not be finalised Until consultation had taken place with the Public Works Department and the local office of the Labour Department, and information was received as to the worke available iii the province, the Minister continued. However, expressed in broad terms, the proposal was that groups of married men not exceeding 12 ,in number would be invited to undertake, in the main, the construction of baekbloek roadfi,". including metalling and straightening, and also thn improvement of some of the main roads.. "The advantage of the small group idea." said Mr. Hamilton, "is that the men are easily transported from one work to another J In the. North there arc many opportunities for the class of work I have mentioned, and with the proepept of full-time employment it should appeal to married men from the cities." Piece-work System. The Minister explained that payment was on the piece-work system, based on wages at the rate of 10/ a day, enabling the men to emu .€.'s a, week. As -no rent payment would have to be met, the only outgoings on the part of the men would be for foodstuffs. Statistics governing such camp , undertakings -showed that the average "keep" worked out fit 0/ per man per week. In addition, returns recently taken out showed that in the Public Works camps in the Auckland Province over a lengthy period nn average weekly wane of £.'? was earned in many cases, while in only one instance was the average below - £2 15/.

"These wages are more than those earned by workers under Ko. 5 scheme, ,, said the Minister, "aod I sincerely trust that in the mrtnning of these Public Works camps there will be a pood response from the- married men in Auckland. It was, of course, impossible definitely to guarantee 10/ a day, but it could be accepted that the men should be reasonably able to earn that wage. It was hoped that the local bodies and the- business community would give the board a hand in, these schemes. By the transfer of the men to the country the burden in the city will be lemoned and at the same time more casual' employment will bo available to those who remain." , Stimulating Building.

Referring to other proposals for assisting the unemployed during the winter, tho Minietcr confirmed the statement that it was intended to revive the building subsidy or No. 10 scheme for the period of the winter. The purpose was to stimulate the building industry, which, when operating normally, was responsible for the payment of a very substantial wages hill. This year the No. 10 scheme would be placed o;t a different basie from that in operation last year. Previous experience had brought to light one or two difficulties, particularly those of the small contractor, and on this occasion the Unemployment Board was endeavouring to overcome them before announcing details.

In reply to an inquiry, Mr. Hamilton said it was hoped that,* in view of the steps taken by tho board and tho Government, to provide for unemployment relief, tho total registrations during the winter would not greatly exceed the peak figure reached last year. Notwithstanding criticism, No. 5 scheme was filling a useful purpose and absorbing largo numbers of men, while with tho extension of tho Public Works camps scheme, and tho revival of the building subsidy scheme, more men were being reabsorbed in their old trades. On present indications, bearing in mind the slight improvement noted in oversea prices, the outlook generally was hopeful.