SUBSIDY ON WAGES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 62, 6 December 1930, Page 10

SUBSIDY ON WAGES

Aid for Private Work

FARMERS LACK CASH Firms Over-staffed It remains to be seen to what extent the Unemployment Board's offer to subsidise wages paid by private employers for certain specified classes of work between now and the end of January will be availed of, but many of those associated with the agricultural and commercial community are of opinion that little advantage will be taken of it. Provision is made for subsidising work in town and country that is outside the normal course of industry, and approved undertakings will be subsidised £1 for £1 not exceeding 7/- per day, the actual wages to be mutually arranged between ■the parties concerned. The scheme as it applies to rural industries follows the lines of that advocated by the represem tatives of the New Zealand Farmers Union when giving evidence before the Parliamentary Unemployment Committee that heard evidence on the Unemployment Bill. , , The union recommended that the board should subsidise farmers unable to pay full wages while employing farm labour. It believed that if pecuniary assistance were given in this way a considerable number of young able-bodied men could be absorbed by farmers all oyer the Dominion. The union suggested that it a farmer were able to give, say, fl a week for such labour the difference between this amount and the ruling wages for efficient farm labourers could be paid by the board. Low Prices Ruling. “Many a farmer might have been glad to accept the board’s offer and give employment by carrying out what might be termed a non-essential work,’’ said a prominent agriculturist, “but with the low prices ruling for primary .produce there are large numbers of men on the land with nothing left at all after they have paid their way. The usual run of farm labour is round about 30/- to 35/- per week and found, and there are many who will probably be able to find 15/- a week but cannot afford 30/-. Probably some of these farmers will make use of the offer. “When men are paid 14/- a day on other classes of relief work, however, it does not look as if they are going to be over-anxious to accept employment with farmers at the ruling wages for farm labour. In view of the present slump in primary produce values I don’t think the offer will be extensively availed of, for most farmers have their work eut out to. keep their own heads above water after they have met their interest payments and (fulfilled their other obligations. This is obvious: the board won t be called upon <to pay a subsidy of 7/- • day on farm labour because no man on the land will be in a position to pay 14/- per day.” Clerical Aid. The subsidy is also allowed on clerical work in towns and cities, but from wh,at can be gathered locally firms likely to be able to make use of additional clerical assistance are already overstaffed and keeping clerks on out of consideration for them in view of the present depressed state of the labour market. “Most of the larger firms in Wellington,” jaid a prominent business man, “have now not sufficient work to keep their clerical staffs going. As far as my firm is concerned we are not going to the Government to get the dole to pay our labour, particularly clerical labour. Besides, it is beneath the dignity of a responsible firm. Let us have an open market for labour and everything will be right in New Zealand in a couple of years.” Some use, it is anticipated, will probably be made of the provision whereby wages paid for gardening.and other work around town and city sections, but the duration of this class of work will naturally be short unless a series of such jobs can be arranged for one man.

NO USE TO FARMERS

By Telegraph.—Press Association Christchurch, December 5. While it is probable that the offer made by the Unemployment Board of a subsidy of 7/- a day on wages will be largely availed of in the city, the opinion was expressed by farmers this morning that the scheme is of no use to them, as they cannot afford to pay even the 7/- a day necessary in order to take advantage of the subsidy. As wages paid to workers in the country are generally under 14/- a day, it is considered by some that the board’s scheme cannot be applied without causing disaffection among country workers who are regularly employed. W®, MODEL SET OF RULES Local Committee Activities By Telegraph—Press Association. New Plymouth, December 5. The local committee under the Unemployment Act was set up to-night at a conference of delegates representing all the local bodies and associations concerned in North Taranaki. The draft set of resolutions for the administration of unemployment activities under the Unemployment Board was adopted, with some amendments. Resolutions had been submitted to the Minister following a conference with him at New Plymouth, and in telegraphing tonight’s meeting the Hon. 8. G. Smith, Minister of Labour, stated that the resolutions would probably be accepted as a model set. Applications for copies had been received from various parts of the Dominion.