FARM DEVELOPMENT

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3449, 24 November 1932, Page 5

FARM DEVELOPMENT

CONTRACT LABOUR SCHEME. UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD'S HELP. The Unemployment Board's farm development scheme known as No. 4B is regarded by practical men as one of the most valuable, from a national point of view, of all the plans devised for increasing production and at the same time placing unemployed men in useful occupation. Briefly, the 4B is a scheme for providing subsidised labour on a contract basis, the labour to be utilised strictly for work of a developmental character on farms. The work that may be undertaken under this scheme consists of bushfelling, scrub-cutting, rush-grubbing, stumping and logging, drainage on farm lands, cutting new drains, and improving existing drains, fencing and ploughing virgin land, and developmental work of a similar nature. A 50 Per Cent. Subsidy. Towards the labour cost of such work the Unemployment Board now pays a subsidy of 50 per cent, (formerly 33 1-3 per cent.) and the fact that more than 2000 farmers havo arranged contracts under the scheme is an indication that its value is realised. The actual figures for the scheme up to 15th November are as follows: — Applications approved 2036 Men employed .... 4358 Subsidies £45,000 Valuable Work Done. Following are details of some of the work accomplished as a result of this expenditure of money and human energy:— Bush-felling, 18,682 acres. Stumping and logging, 6084 acres. Scrub-cutting, 63,159 acres. Fencing, 30,712 chains. Draining contracts, 25.368 chains. Post splitting for fencing, 35,000. Battens, 143,000. Ploughing virgin land, 2639 acres. Grubbing, 5176 acres. Roading, 1000 chains. Additional Stock Carried. Already the effects of this remarkable farm development campaign are noticeable in the largelyincreased carrying capacity of most of the holdings where contracts under 4B have been carried out, and it now appears to be beyond question that the Dominion's primary products will be considerably augmented as a result. The areas already made available are expected to carry approximately 90,000 additional sheep and 22,000 extra cattle. Gratifying though this achievement is, another result that is even more satisfactory is the placing in employment of over 4000 men and the probability that many of them will remain permanently on the land. Increased Applications.

The increase in the Unemployment Board's subsidy from 33 1-3 per cent, to 50 per cent, of the labour cost of each contract has greatly stimulated applications by farmers for assistance in having developmental work carried out by contract. Farmers are urged to use every endeavour to take advantage of the opportunities offered under this scheme. The necessary forms of application are available at post offices, Government Labour Bureaux, offices of the Lands and Survey Department, and from local unemployment committees. If the fullest advantage is taken of this scheme it annears probable that many thousands of acres of now idle land will be brought into profitable occupation. The Unemployment Board is asking for the assistance of land-holders who are prepared to expend money and so tend to conserve the Board's funds.