SUBSIDISED FARM LABOUR

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4813, 21 July 1939, Page 2

SUBSIDISED FARM LABOUR

4B SCHEME FOR WORK OF DEVELOPMENT.

There are on many farms oppor

tunities whereby good use may be made of the scheme No. 4B for subsidised contract labour, employed in development work. The State recompenses the farmer to the extent of 75 per cent, of the wages paid; or, more correctly, of the contractor's earnings.

The scheme is largely designed to relieve seasonal unemployment, so the workers engaged must be taken from the ranks of those registered at the placement office. The farmer does, however, pick from among the men offering, and the work must be performed by contract. The .scheme is not really new, having been in existence in past years, but then the subsidy was one of 50 per cent.. Last January the rate was raised to 75 per cent. Farmers appear to have been very little acquainted with it, till recently. Interest is now growing considerably largely because of the Minister of Labour's publicity tour. Even so, a great proportion of farmers appear not to realise the possibilities of the scheme.

As a means of relieving unemployment the scheme is to be commended, for the Dominion stands to gain real assets thereby. On broad principle, the idea of subsidisation is to be condemned, but things being as they are, it is a good way out. The application form lists the classes of developmental works covered under seven headings, and the range is wide indeed. Added thereto is a rider—"and other developmental works which would increase the carrying capacity of the farm." For example, labour employed to hand top-dress an area for the first time, would be eligible; but not labour to give a follow-up dressing. An applicant has a rather formidable list of questions to fill in. Of special interest are some that would require estimates. For example: What extra stock would the proposed work enable the farm to carry? Will it be possible to arrange finance for the extra stock, grass seed, etc.? Cost of stock, seed, and other purchases is asked for.

An estimate is also required of what expense the farmer applicant will be put, apart from labour cost of his improvements.

How useful the scheme 4B is will depend largely upon the class of work one undertakes. A fence with all materials purchased may cost upward of 36s a chain. The labour of erection may may cost Bs, and 75 per cent on this means a 6s a chain sub-

sidy; just one-sixth of the job. But on a rush-grubbing' job, where pasture is already good, the rush clearing will cost only onequarter to the farm owner, and he faces no other expense directly. Even so, he must provide the added stock to at the better grass growth. Any farmer, even contemplating some development work, would be well advised to visit the local Labour Department office and get full particulars of this scheme. It has useful possibilities.