Work for R.S.A. Men

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 211, 7 September 1936, Page 7

Work for R.S.A. Men

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT BY MINISTER, (Special to "Times”).' WELLINGTON, Last Night. Two important announcements arccontained in a letter from tho Minister of Public Works (tho Hon. E. Semple) to Mr W. L. Comrie, who recently headed a deputatiou from the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association to the Minister to ask for more suitable work for the returned soldiers’ in camp at Paraparauinu. Tho Minister states that the Railway Department will engage approximately 100 physically fit men on earthworks for the duplication of the Main Trunk line between Plimmerton and Pukerua, and work will probably be found for a further 50 on an emergency landing ground for aircraft at Paraparauinu. When the deputation, consisting ot Messrs Comrie, L. Hill and D. M. Lukoil, was introduced to the Minister by Mr L. G. Lowry, M.P., Mr Semple said that an emergency landing ground near Wellington was essential to the air service operating as it would enable the aeroplanes to laud when conditions were unlit for flying at Rongotai, and would eliminate the necessity for a return to Blenheim or Palmerston North.

The deputation pointed out that there were over 150 returned soldiers in the two camps at Para para umu, and these men had done good work draining swamps in tho district. The association considered that more suitable work might now bo provided. The Minister states in his letter that arrangements have been made for the Railways Department to engage approximately 100 physically lit men from the Paraparaumu camps for employment on earthworks for the duplication of the Main Trunk railway line between Plimmerton and Pukerua,

Tho Minister further states that art engineering survey is being made by his Department to determiuo the area of land required for an emergency landing,, ground at Paraparaumu, and lie expects to be able to place fifty of the returned soldiers on ground improvement works in a few weeks. These men, his letter states, will probably not bo required to be so physically Jit as those to be employed by the Railway Department, as the levelling of the ground will bo comparatively light work. The 00-operativo contracts system will be used, and earnings will be based on standard rates of wages. As there arc only about 160 returned soldiers in the camps, it is thought that the Minister may propose to draw men from tho third camp at Paraparaumu, where younger single unemployed are engaged. Nelson Aerodrome Finances NELSON, Sept. 5. lion. E. Semple (Minister of Public Works) has advised Mr. 11. Atmorc, M.P., that he has received the approval of the Minister of Finance to the suggested basis of tho financial arrangement for the Nelson aerodrome, namely, a contribution of £28,000 from Government funds and a contribution of £7OOO from the Nelson Harbour Board, for the estimated cost of £05,000.

The Government quota, says Mr. Semple, is a liberal one, but consideration has been given to tho fact that a promise had previously been mado to the board in this connection. It is, in fact, more liberal than the basis of finance which the Government has adopted for aerodrome construction generally. To avoid delay, the Minister is calling for tenders immediately.

The chairman of tho board, Mr. A. Gould, states that tho board has everything in readiness, including plans, specifications* and land selected.