THE BUILDING SCHEME

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20989, 18 October 1933, Page 10

THE BUILDING SCHEME

HEAVY COMMITMENTS OP THE BOARD SOME ABUSE REPORTED [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, October 17. "Very heavy commitments have been incurred by the Unemployment Board for the payment of subsidies under scheme No. 10," stated the Minister for Employment, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, in his report to the House to-day. "On the applications approved since* the resuscitation of the scheme in June last, there is a subsidy commitment of £483,000. and there are still many hundreds of applications to be dealt with. "The board, however, is confident that the scheme is sound as an unemployment relief measure. "The total value of work, to be carried out under the applications so far approved is £4,127,000," said the Minister. "This represents an estimated expenditure of £1,177,000 in direct labour, and of at least a further £2.225,000 in indirect labour. Such activity in the building trade through the .operation of scheme No. 10 cannot fail to result in the absorption into their normal occupations of a large number of workers who are at present obtaining relief under other schemes conducted by the Unemployment Board. It, is hoped that the stimulus given to the building trade by the unemployment subsidy will have very beneficial results on. the trade and industry generally. The Spirit of the Scheme. "In drafting the rules of scheme No. .10, the beard aimed to keep them as free as was reasonably possible from conditions which might have deterred possible applicants for the subsidy from proceeding with their proposals, or increased unduly the administrative cost of the scheme. There is no reason to doubt that the majority of those receiving the subsidy are observing the spirit and intention of the scheme, and it is desired that those receiving benefits under this scheme will assist the board to their utmost extent. This should be recognised as a personal duty. Unfortunately a certain amount of abuse has been reported, and cases are being investigated and legal action will follow where definite proofli of abuse is established. The board will not tolerate any abuse of the scheme by either owners of property, builders, or workers. All persons concerned must realise that the scheme- as is a generous one, and the Unemployment Board looks to these persons to protect the board's interests by seeing that the subsidy is not abused, and that every assistance possible is given to relieve the unemployment fund."

RELIEF WORKS

DRAINAGE BOARD'S OPERATIONS

It was reported to the Christchurch Drainage Board at its meeting last night that the average wockly number of men employed by the board was 226.

The principal works in hand are:— River Heathcote: Widening and improving the waterway. Work on this river is now in hand between Opawa road bridge and Radley bridge. Sewage farm: Levelling of filtration area, tree planting, and clearing of scrub. Addington drain: South Hagley Park. Battering banks and repairing old timber. This work has been completed. Wilderness drain: Work is in hand at Milton street on the new concrete culvert.

CENTRAL RELIEF DEPOT

REINTERVIEWING TO BEGIN

NEXT WEEK

The honorary director (Mr T. H. Cape-Williamson) of the Metropolitan Relief Association's Central Relief Depot states that reinterviewing will begin at the depot next week. Only the husband must make application, as applications from the wives of unemployed relief workers will not be entertained. All applicants must bring their rent books and U.B. 35 forms.

THE PIECE WORK SYSTEM STOPPAGE AT FERXSIDE Thirty-eight relief workers at the Fernside camp on the Ashley river stopped work for an hour yesterday morning as a protest against the introduction of the piecework tvstem. The men did not start work at the usual time of 7.30 a.m. After a short stoppage of work they were given an assurance that the questions of the classification of gangs and of lost time would be reviewed, and they resumed work. An official at the Public Works Department said yesterday afternoon that no trouble had occurred with the men at the main camp at Ashley bridge.

HOLIDAY ON LABOL'R DAY Mr R. T. Eailcy, officer in charge of the Labour Department, stated yesterday that men on the No. 5 scheme, who were allocated work for Labour Day, Monday, October 23, would be :/iven a holiday and be paid for ;he day. The fame privilege was extended to relief workers by the Unemployment Board last year. Men whose allocation of work does not fall on ihe holiday will, of course, receive no concession. COUNTRY WORK FOR BOYS A new scheme is to be tried by the Boys' Employment Committee for getting employment for boys on farms At the coming agricultural shows the committee will have a representative present who will be prepared to meet farmers wanting labour and men needing employment. The scheme will be tried out at Lecston on Thursdav

RELIEF FUND

BUSINESS MEN'S APPEAL The contributions to the Citizens' Relief of Distress Fund received yes* terday brought the total uo to date to X 1.3.880 19s Id. The honorary treasurer, on behalf of the committee, acknowledges the following additional contributions:— £ s. d. Previously acknowledged 13,867 3 0 Ch.Ch. Boot Manufacturers and employees loth contribution .. 7 15 3 16th contribution .. 7 15 6 17th contribution .." 7 5 7 £13.889 19 4