USEFUL WORK

Evening Star, Issue 20310, 19 October 1929, Page 3

USEFUL WORK

FORESTRY FOR UNEMPLOYED [From Can Paiiliauentarv rtecoarr.a.] WELLINGTON, October IS. > An explanation of tho Government’s scheme for absorbing unemployed men on afforestation works was given in the House of Representatives by the Commissioner of State Forests (Mr ’.laverner). The scheme is part of the gen era! unemployment relief plan, and will absorb about 1,750 men by tho end oi the mouth. Tho Minister said the first scheme aimed at the immediate absorption of 2,000 men, while the second scheme would come into operation before the end of the mouth. Under tho A scheme 775 men had been retained on forestry work. Had this work not been taken in hand those men would have been discharged, as their engagement was fo” the planting season only. It was true, said Mr Taverner, that tho men were not planting now, but they were preparing new areas for planting next season. Under the same scheme an additional 065 men had been taken on, making a total of 1,140. ihe first scheme was now in full working order. Under the second scheme 210 men were to be taken on right away. Another 400 would be added to taeir number nfc the eud of the month, niiuciug 610 in all. Consequently, under both schemes, 1.750 would be placed in employment. The work would be of use to the country. I would be a direct benefit in regard to the thinning .arid care of existing plantations. He felt sure the activities of the men would place tho existing plantations in firstclass order. Work also to be done related to the preparation of areas and roads in anticipation of next year s planting. “I believe,” concluded Mr Tavcrnei, “ that the men employed on this work will feel and appreciate that they are doing work which is of value to JNew Zealand, and that they are not digging holts merely to fill them in again.