Decreased Relief Need In Whangarei

Northern Advocate, 27 January 1939, Page 3

Decreased Relief Need In Whangarei

There has been a big decrease in the number of men in receipt of employment relief in Whangarei during the past year. In February of last year more than 60 men were on sustenance. Now there are only 30. . Of these, 25 are over. 58 years of age, and all are classed as medically unfit for any but the lightest of work. A year ago, there were also at least 70 men in receipt of relief other than sustenance, in addition to a large number of men on Public Works projects whose wages were paid by the Employment Division of the Department of Labour. Decreased Numbers.

The total number of men now in receipt of relief is about 160, including 100 on Scheme 13, which was not operative to any extent a year ago. Largely through the efforts of the Placement Office the number of men in receipt of relief has been reduced from 200 two months ago to its present day figure of 160. There seems every likelihood that the number receiving relief will continue declining. Analysis of Relief. An analysis of Scheme 13 shows that about 40 men are now employed under the supervision of the Whangarei Borough Council on excavating at Kensington Park, improvements to various other parks, dtfaining, levelling, and concrete footpath construction. The Whangarei Harbour Board employs about 16 men on draining and stop-banking of tidal lands, while the Public Works Department employs a considerable number on the Parua Bay Road formation, school ground improvements, and levelling at Dobbie’s estate.

In addition, there are about 18 men working their own farms in receipt of Government subsidies under Scheme 4A, and about 12 farmers are employing subsidised labour under Scheme 48. At least six men are working on small farms under the supervision of the Lands and Survey Department, and are in receipt of subsidised payments.

A few men are being employed as inexperienced farm labourers, and their employers are receiving subsidies under Scheme 4F. There are also some six men employed as adult apprentices in Whangarei, their employers receiving subsidies on their wages. Scheme 13 to Continue.

Prior to Christmas information was received that Scheme 13, which represents one of the biggest avenues of unemployment relief in the district, was to be terminated tomorrow, January 28. ' Advice has now been received by the District Employment Office that in cases where the work being carried out is of sufficient economic v.alus to justify the payment of subsidies on the present liberal basis, the scheme is to be continued until March 31. If the scheme terminates on that date, those men receiving relief under this heading, who cannot be placed in private employment or on Scheme 4B will be diverted to other avenues of relief.