The Manawatu Daily Times Re-employment in Public Works

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 230, 30 September 1935, Page 6

The Manawatu Daily Times Re-employment in Public Works

The announcement that tiie Government has evolved a plan whereby 8000 :; additional men will be given employment on public works is one upon which favourable comment is general. It is greatly to be desired that employment should be found tor as many men as possible, consistent with the works carried out being of value. At the same time it should be realised that mere employment of itself is of small benefit to the community. It is in the'results obtained that benefit is to be found. Measured by this rule, wo reserve our enthusiasm for the Government's latest proposal. This suggests that work will be found on roads, drainage, irrigation, reclamation and salvage of deteriorated lands and on building. Some two months ago we instituted a most comprehensive survey of re-employment opportunities in the Dominion, from an examination of public works opportunities with regard to their being economically justified, it was concluded that not more than 4500 men could be provided with re-employment in this sphere. The investigation .revealed that the problem of re-employment must for the greater part be solved by reemployment being afforded by private enterprise. Our survey of Public Works possibilities revealed that roading offered, the most important opportunity of useful employment, that railway work offered only a limited field and that land development works were of doubtful value. This latter item was summed up thus: “Under present conditions and on the immediate outlook, it would appear unwise for the State to risk public funds in this direction.’’ It is considered that for the present the best interests of the Dominion will be served by a more efficient utilisation of the land now occupied and this is being rapidly and constantly achieved by the occupants thereof. Regarding public building proposals, these are at present being actively carried on. We see no reasonable possibility of increasing the numbers employed thereon unless the State proposes to go into a housing scheme, the houses to be built by the Public Works Department. That is utterly improbable. Whilst sympathising with the State in its genuine endeavours to provide re-employment by means of public works, it must be stated that there are definite dangers in such a policy. On general principles, public works should be carried on to no greater degree than necessary and without the employment of excess labour. The ideal employment is that which produces goods and services which raise the standard of living for the community. This must never be lost sight of, and a policy that recognises this must ever be maintained. Such a policy will be one that provides every encouragement and assistance to the employment of additional workers in trade and industry. Good News for the Housewife That the operations of the Dairy Board should beneficially affect the average housewife is the latest news from that body. Regulations are to be put into operation for the control of the local butter market. These are not for the purpose of “squeezing” the consumer, but are designed to place the market upon an economic basis with particular attention to having first quality butter supplied to local consumers. * / During the past few years the marketing for local butter has been in a chaotic state, price-cutting lias been rampant and this inevitably led to much cheap, low quality butter being sold over the counter. The new regulations will change all this. In future only first quality butter will be placed in general consumption. Another item of interest to the housewife and the dairyfarmer is that legislation is being introduced to enable dairy factories to sell cream. It is expected that this will enable cream to be sold much , more cheaply to the consumer. As showing the possibilities of a reduction in the price of cream, it may be mentioned that a pint of cream is worth only 4M at the dairy factory, but cream is selling at 2s a pint in many cases and can be bought, if called for at dairies, at Is fid a pint. Thus, at its cheapest it is costing the consumer 400 per cent, mere than its wholesale value.