SEASONAL WORKERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 10 June 1939, Page 2

SEASONAL WORKERS

EMPLOYMENT IN WINTER STATE DEPARTMENT PLANS l United Preys Association | AUCKLAND, 9th June. Winter employment for several thousand seasonal workers through various State departments on local body jobs and on farms is planned by the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb. The scheme,, which involves a number of important works in the Auckland district, was discussed by Mr Webb to-day with heads of various Government departments. "I had a conference with heads of Government departments, discussing the question of absorbing more men in employment in their departments,” the Minister said. The Government was planning more work to meet the position of seasonal workers, of whom there were several thousand in the Dominion, the men including those who worked in freezing and dairy industries, at harvesting, shearing and fruit picking and in the tobacco industry in the south.

“In the past during the off season these people found it difficult to get employment, and the few pounds they had saved was soon eaten up in waiting for seasonal work to come round again,” he continued. “The present Government set out with the idea of planning work for these men for the off season, feeling that it was far better to have them creating national assets than existing on sustenrnce. The work being planned is of a kind that can be classed as essential. Much of it is not to be done under the present schedules, planned by the different departments, but nevertheless, it is work that the departments consider should be done, and it will be of definite help to the State when completed. ’“lncluded in the works will be easements on railways, afforestation, land clearing and draining, river protection work, removing dangerous bends and construction of new roads where deemed necessary.” Mr Webb, said that in addition arrangements were being nade for a considerable amount of contract work in assisting farmers to clear their land of scrub to bring mort '.lto cultivation. This was provided for under scheme 48, and the State would provide up to 75 per cent, of the wages cost. The Government felt that too much land could not be brought under cultivation. * Minister said he had already attended to similar work in the South Island.