RELIEF WORK SUBSIDY

Grey River Argus, 18 January 1939, Page 7

RELIEF WORK SUBSIDY

TO BE TAPERED OFF Other Work for Future [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, January 17. Mr Webb to-day, in an interview, indicated that the subsidisation of local body works cannot be carried on indefinitely. Plans in preparation are expected to result in the employment of a large number of men in industry, and with the coming of social security benefits, it will be possible to close down or taper off some of the special subsidised works, where the expenditure involved may be considered out of proportion to the potential asset. To this end, a review of all subsidised works will be put in hand shortly, and the least useful or required will be discontinued. Applications -for the subsidisation of new works will be subjected to a very close examination, in order that approvals may be strictly limited to the economic value of the work, and the anticipated available labour supply. Although it is not possible to give an outline at present of the avenues of additional employment being explored. Mr Webb mentioned that it has been decided, as from January 30, to increase the subsidy on farm de_velopmental work under scheme four B, from 50 per cent, of the labour cost to 75 per cent. The conditions are not being changed, and it will be necessary, as hitherto, to restrict employment upon each contract to men engaged from the ‘unemployment register, through district employment officers or certifying officers as the case may be.