BUILDING SUBSIDY SCHEME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22053, 8 September 1933, Page 10

BUILDING SUBSIDY SCHEME

THE "ON AND OFF" POLICY DISTURBING EFFECT ON TRADE (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, September 7. Dissatisfaction with the " on and off " policy relating to the building subsidy was 'expressed by Mr T. Bloodworth, secretary of the Carpenters' Union. Mr Bloodworth said that between the first, and second subsidy schemes little new work was started, because people expected that the Government _ would again provide the bonus. In this they were right, but it was never contemplated that the scheme would last for such a short time. He knew of several building projects which would _be dropped, and people would mark time again on the assumption that the scheme would be on again at a later date. The present scheme in reality subsidised the wages of small employers, who, being skilled tradesmen, did jobs themselves. The board in effect had admitted to the benefits of its scheme a large number of men whe were not previously a charge on the unemployment funds. If the Government abolished the sales tax on building supplies, and brought the exchange rate back to par, the building industry would be helped more than by the Unemployment Board's subsidy scheme.

RUSH OF APPLICATIONS (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 7. Following the Ministerial announcement that the provision of subsidies for building are to cease on September 12, an unprecedented rush of applications for subsidies was experienced at the Labour Bureau to-day. The number of applications has been averaging about half a dozen a day, but to-day 50 applications of a total estimated cost of £33.339 17s were received. Applications for subsidies poured into the Labour Department's office to-day following the announcement of the closing of the scheme next Tuesday. The office was unable to supply all the application forms which were sought. The total number of applications received was 44, which brought the total for Christchurch up to 504. Of these, 442 have been granted and 31 declined. The total cost of the work involved is £351,150 and the wages cost is £122,803.