BUILDING SUBSIDY

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 July 1934, Page 5

BUILDING SUBSIDY

the Unemployment Board make some provision for advances, through the State Advances Department, to workers, for the building of homes. The money being used by way of the subsidy at the present time was not recoverable in any .shape or form, although it was doing good work. There might be some method whereby the money might be repaid. It would be a very fine gesture on the part of the Board if a certain amount could be allocated, up to £4OO or £5OO, for the entire construction of workmen’s dwellings. Even if it were entirely free of interest; and the principal Avas repaid to the Board, it would be better than the present scheme. Each worker might pay 10/- per week back, for a period of years, and then the Board’s fund would be built up, and could be used for other purposes in years to come. It would be good for people in difficulties if they could get a home for themselves and their families, for £4OO or £5OO. In Greymouth—and he supposed the same thing applied to the whole of New Zealand —a worker could not get a house under anything from £1

to 30/- per Aveek. A resolution could be framed, and efforts made to get it endorsed by the Avhole of the municipalities in NeAV Zealand. They must press their Avants consistently, otherAvise they Avould get left. Cr McGinley suggested that it be made compulsory to use NeAV Zealand materials. A lot of American timber Avas used hoav, he said. Cr Kent said that the scheme outlined by the Mayor had been put forAvard time and time again on the floor of the House.

The Mayor: Not from the Unemployment Board. Cr Robertson seconded the resolution, Avjiich Avas approved. Cr Williams said that there Avere numbers of people looking for small cottages. If they could be erected in the vicinity of £4OO, there Avould be any number of applicants for them. Cheaper land was required now. The Harbour Board let its sections much cheaper than the Borough Council did.

Cr Kitchingham: Ours are all gone. We have no more to let. Cr Williams said that there Avas a

reserve south of the Public Hall in BlaketOAvn. In the past, the Blaket.OAvn Ratepayers’ Association had objected to the cutting up of the area, as they Avanted it for tennis courts; but it Avould cost a lot of money to make the land suitable lor tennis

courts. Seven years had gone by, and nothing had been done. There Avas a tennis court at McLean Park, Avhich Avas enough for Blaketown. He suggested mat the matter of the reserve be referred to the TownPlanning Committee, for a report, and this was approved.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. The Mayor pointed out that £250,000 had been earmarked by the Unemployment Board, for the creation of neAV industries, and it could safely be said that that was one of the finest things that had ever happened with regard to absorbing unemployed. In Greymouth, there were about 80

unemployed. It Avould not take a great deal to absorb the whole of

them, if-they could get some creative brain to Avork, and endeavour to select certain industries, in keeping with the raAV materials at hand. He had in mind the scientific treatment of coal. The mining industry was in a' parlous condition at present. They should all put their creative capacity into the matter, and endeavour to bring before the Government any industry that could be created, to

help to absorb the unemployed, and to see that they got a share of the £250,000. After all, they Avere paying heavily. He understood that Mr W. Bromley, avlio Avas uoav the deputychairman of the Unemployment Board, Avas interested in the subject, but it had not been placed before the Board. Something might be done in regard to the treatment of coal, and

there Avere many other avenues for development. For instance, the farmers on the West Coast Avere talking about a bacon factory. “Surely to goodness,” said Mr Greenslade, “some of the money should be expended on the West Coast. We should co-operate Avith the Chamber of Commerce, and other local bodies, in an endeavour to stimulate industry.” He moved that a committee be set up, to go into the matter, and

place it before the Unemployment Board. The resolution Avas seconded by Or McGinley. Cr Robertson suggested that the Mayor bo a member of the committee, as he was connected Avith coal distillation, and could give facts and figures. Cr Lawn said that he strongly sup-

ported the Mayor’s proposals. The committee Avould be doing good Avork if they could formulate a scheme to help industry. To get in early, Avith la definite suggestion to the Board, Avas one of the chief points. The resolution Avas approved, and a committee was set up, consisting of the Mayor and Crs Kent, Robertson, Williams, and Kitchingham. i PROSPECTORS’ REPAYMENTS. [special to “star.”] WELLINGTON, July 12. The opinion that it Avas not unreasonable when equipment had been provided to some miners and not. to others that repayment should be made of this loan when gold Avas won, was expressed by the Minister of Employment (Mr Hamilton) when replying to a question asked by Mr J. O’Brien hi the House of Representatives, to-day.

The Minister said that no repayment AA’as made if no gold Avas Avon. Mr O’Brien had asked the Minister

COUNCIL URGE REINTRODUCTION

The reintroduction, of the building I subsidy, by the Unemployment Board, was urged by the Mayor (Mr J. W. Greenslade), at last evening’s meeting of the Greymouth Borough Couacii. He stated that there was a. great deal of criticism levelled at the Board with regard to the various isI sues in connection rvith the subsidy, and some of that criticism might appear to be Avarranted. The reintroduction of the subsidy, Avith restrictions, Avould be of great benefit, esI pecially to the West Coast, which was a timber district. The subsidy Avould give a stimulus to the saAvmills and builders, and Avould have a beneficial effect on employment. At the same time, restrictions should be placed upon grants; but he did not want to touch upon anything that had transpired in that connection. He suggested that a cpmmittee, consisting of Crs Kitchingham, Robertson, Williams, and Kent, be set up to go into the matter, Avith a view to drafting the necessary resolution, to be forwarded to the Unemployment Board. He Avould also like to see added to the resolution a recommendation that

Avhether he Avould cease taking from the prospector and miners subsidised by the Unemployment Board, 50 per cent of the gold Avon for the cost, of equipment supplied to tliem. He. had also pointed out subsidised miners and prospectors were subjected- to the ten pen cent, levy on all gold sold by them. This ten per cent levy Avas supposed to be for equipment and a further levy of 50 per cent. for equipment did not appear to be warranted.

Replying to a further question by Mr O’Brien, as to Avliether he Avould use his influence to have relief rates ,of pay under No. 5 Scheme raised to at least sustenance level, for relief workers, and their families, Mr Hamilton said that course was not possible Avith the funds available, even though they Avere in a sound position at the present time. "