NO. 13 SCHEME

Grey River Argus, 11 February 1941, Page 10

NO. 13 SCHEME

CHRISTCHURCH, February 10.

The Government’s intention to eliminate men from the No. 13 Scheme, as far as possible, by filling jobs that were vacant or which would become vacant as the result of men being taken for war and other services, was explained to a meeting of members of the General Labourers’ Union and men employed on subsidised jobs by the Minister for Labour (the Hon. P. C. Webb) on Saturday. The men were also addressed by the Minister for Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan). After the meeting, which was held in committee, Mr. Webb said the men had been informed that in future no man would be kept on subsidised work while there were vacancies in ordinary employment. Conversely, no man would be asked to leave No. 13 Scheme unless there was a vacancy which he could fill in another form of employment. The meeting fully appreciated the position Mr. Webb added. The Government’s policy had been greeted in a friendly spirit and the workers’ representatives present had acted in a spirit of co-operation greatly appreciated by the Ministers. In their turn the men had had an opportunity of discussing the position from their own point of view. They had explained their difficulties and all points had been covered. Mr. Webb said he was confident that the men would rise to the occasion and offer their services to the more important national works That needed immediate attention.