INDUSTRY AIDED

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1935, Page 6

INDUSTRY AIDED

building SUBSIDY FIGURES

7000 DWELLINGS ERECTED

Some idea of the far-reaching benefits following the introduction by the Unemployment Board of the building and other subsidies for constructional work is given in figures made available bv the board this week. These show that not only has there been a large increase in the amounts distributed in wages as the result of these subsidies, but that many related industries have received a stimulus, thus spreading the benefit over a large section of the people. The building scheme for dwellings was commenced in July, 1934, and to the end of October, 7000 subsidised new dwellings were erected or commenced. Including the amounts expended on assistance to the farming industry by way of subsidies on the purchase of farm implements and machinery, and in the erection of farm buildings, it is estimated that up to the end of October the total value of the work completed and in hand under the various schemes was £5,300,000, while tlie total value of wages paid in the various industries affected amounted to approximately £4,600,000. This sum indicates the great addition in purchasing power which has been given to an army of workers, who hnvD?en retained in employment junder one or other of the schemes. Another point made in connection with the subsidy' on dwellings is that 6640 porcelain enamel baths, 1629 electric ranges and 1752 gas ranges of domestic manufacture have been installed in subsidised dwellings. Shortly after the present building scheme for dwellings was commenced in July, 1934, buildings such, as churches, Sunday schools. libraries, and balls, to .which no private gain is attached, were added to the scheme. In the early part of the present year a supplementary scheme was introduced covering extensions, alterations, and painting of dwellings, churches and the buildings in the non-profit earning list. A little later subsidies were introduced upon the construction of approved buildings and for the installation of certain machinery and equipment of domestic manufacture used in the dairy industry, and quite recently this class of subsidy was extended to cover structures and equipment required for piggeries associated with dairy farming. Recently the board decided to extend the period of operation of tb*' augmented scheme from December 31, 1925. to include works commenced by I April 30 next, and as a means of i stimulating further industrial activity to enlarge the scope of the scheme, to include the erection of new or the extension of existing woolsheds, implement sheds and other approved farm and orchard implements and machinery of New Zealand manufacture. The scheme will now cover buildings and certain equipment for general farms, stock farms, poultry farms, fruit farms and apiaries. The original arrangement regarding the dairy industry will not he disturbed, but, in view of the extension of the scheme to various sections of the industry, it has been decided tbnt it would no longer be reasonable to exclude dairy farms not supplying to dairy factories.