No. 13 SCHEME

Grey River Argus, 7 February 1941, Page 11

No. 13 SCHEME

ROAD FORMATION Subsidy to Cease Indications that, at least in part, the No. 13 Scheme in Greymouth, is being suspended, were given to the Greymouth Borough Council in a letter which was received at last evening’s meeting, when the Registrar, Employment Bureau, Labour Department, Greymouth, advised that the subsidy oii wages of men employed under the No. 13 Scheme on road formation work would not be available after March 29, and requested the Council to make arrangements for the termination of the authority for the subsidy on that date, Cr C. Neville moved that the Department be reminded of statements made by Hon. P. C. Webb, that the Council’s efforts during the depression were appreciated. They should ask that the present scheme be continued. Cr Neville said that the Council was one of the few that carried the unemployed on during the depression. That, he thought, was a fair statement to make. Ministers had congratulated the Council and said how grateful they were. A lot of song had been made about how the Council had stretched its finances and that was supposed to be the reason why they got what was supposed to be a subsidy for the sewerage scheme. If they were sincere, he asked, why were these men who were doing useful work having their services retained? Cr J. B. Kent, seconding the motion pro forma, said he would thank the mover for his eulogistic references to what the Government had done for the Council. Cr Neville: What did we do for them?

The Mayor: Order! This is a short order paper, and we ought to be able to dash through it. Cr Kent: It’s one of those departmental orders, and any motion won’t make any difference. There is being a reorganisation of manpower in this country, and men have to be put on more productive work. If you have such men here, you should be glad to get them placed. Some want it both ways. We’ve been doing work mat has been subsidised by the Government when we should have been paying ourselves. The Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingham) suggested that the letter be received. Mr Webb had stated that he realised that a number of men could not be sent away from the towns, but that others should. It meant that the men would have a period of uncertainty until definite arrangements could be made. Cr J. Saunders: It’s very certain that the Council cannot finance them. The Mayor made his suggestion an amendment, which Cr H, Herring seconded. Cr J. Anderson' said that the Council had little information. He asked if it were a general order for the whole Dominion. He thought the Mayor’s suggestion a good one. Cr Neville: If we remain passive we’ll probably get left. My reason for moving the motion was to put in an objection. The Mayor’s amendment was carried, Crs Saunders and Neville opposing.