Manawatu Daily Times Employment Development

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6919, 25 July 1932, Page 6

Manawatu Daily Times Employment Development

The campaign officially launched to-day by the Manawatu Employment. Development Committee must be accounted one of the most important constructive efforts yet made in the Dominion by any body of men to combat the evil of unemployment, and it only requires the enthusiastic co-operation and practical backing of citizens to make it a success. No one would suggest that the committee has discovered a cure for unemployment, but if everyone helps in the spirit which lias actuated the organisers of this movement a tremendous amount of useful work can be found for those in need of assistance.

The main object of the Employment Development Committee is to take as full advantage as possible of the Government’s No. 10 scheme under which labour in the building industries is substantially subsidised. It is hoped by educative publicity and comprehensive organisation to enlighten business people and householders on the advantages of this scheme, and thereby induce them to undertake building operations without further delay. These advantages may apply not only to extensive building programmes, but to the smallest jobs, and the advantages are very real and substantial. There never was a time when building materials were cheaper and with the Government subsidy on the labour cost of one-third where unemployed labour is utilised a very big saving can be made.

The building industry in all its branches provides one of the largest avenues of employment in the Dominion. A dozen separate trades and industries arc affected. Money thus spent is .not confined to one corner, but is widely distributed and its benefits arc shared by many. The Government, reognising this fact, brought forward the No. 10 scheme whereby all labour employed on building, repairs, etc., carries a subsidy. Economy in public expenditure just now may be imperative, but no such necessity applies to private spending. The more we buy and the more we keep the available money circulating through the avenues of trade- the better it will be for everyone. The only remedy for unemployment is more business. Hoarded money means depriving industry of its life blood. Now is the time to spend wisely. Almost every business and every home needs and can afford some constructive or repair work done. 'Why not therefore take advantage of the Government subsidy and the low price of materials, thereby greatly helping to stimulate trade and provide employment, while at the same time make a real saving on the job?