No. 5 SCHEME FOR MANAWATU-OROUA DRAINAGE WORKS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6633, 21 August 1931, Page 7

No. 5 SCHEME FOR MANAWATU-OROUA DRAINAGE WORKS

Premier’s Favourable Reception

CONFERENCE WITH BOARD AND MINISTER Special to Times. WELLINGTON, Last Night. A request that the Manawatu-Oroua River Board bo allowed to carry on river protection works under thp No. 5 scheme was placed before the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) by representatives of the local bodies of the district to-day. It was stated that the available works to which the unemployed could be applied were running out, and that this proposal would furnish work for a large number of men. It would also bring into cultivation some of the best land in the Dominion. In reply, Mr. Forbes suggested that the local bodies concerned should confer with tho Unemployment Board and the Minister of Public Works in order to devise somo way by which the scheme could bo carried out. Tho deputation was introduced by Mr. J. Linklater, M.P. Mr. W. S. Carter, chairman of the Manawatu-Oroua River Board, said that there were a large number of men out of work in the Manawatu and Foxton districts, and the local authorities were experiencing great difficulty in finding them employment. At the present time the main highway between Wellington and Wanganui was subject to flooding, and on one occasion traffic on the Toad had been held up fov six weeks. If the land subject to flooding were dewatered it would become most productive, the estimate being that 25 acres would keep a man and his family. Tho scheme had tremendous possibilities and tremendous difficulties. Although manual labour would be required, it would also be necessary to uso machinery, and it was hoped to*borrow the machinery from the Public Works Department. The hire of the machinery could perhaps be paid for by the subsidy offered for the work by the Government.

Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., said that there were 1350 men unemployed in Palmerston North, and all the available work was running out. Here was an opportunity to employ the men on profitable work.

Tho Ministor of Labour (Hon. S. G. Smith): Who would pay the insurance? Mr. Carter: Naturally the local bodies would pay the insurance. Mr. C. Monk, chairman of tho Horowhenua County Council, said that if the land were dewatered it would bring into production a large area of valuable land. Mr. W. L. Fitzherbert, a member of the Palmerston North City Council, said that the council had already exceeded its estimated expenditure on unemployment by £2OOO, and could not make any further efforts in that direction. Mr. J. Hodgens, another member of the Palmerston North City Council, said that In twelve months’ or two years’ time a large area of land would be dewatered and brought into profitable production. Mr. Forbes said that the Government recognised the difficulties of local bodies in finding work of a profitable naturo for the unemployed, and it welcomed any suggestions that were made. He suggested that,,the deputation should confer with the Minister of Public Works and the Unemployment Board for the purpose of devising somo scheme by which the work could be carried out and a large number of men employed. He thought that if a conference were held difficulties would bo overcome. It was left with Messrs. Linklater and Nash to arrange a suitable date for a conference.