SUSTENANCE ROLL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19454, 13 October 1937, Page 4

SUSTENANCE ROLL

GOVERNMENT'S POLICY GISBORNE APPLICATION 15 SINGLE MEN AFFECTED Fifteen single men in Gisborne have been affected t>y tne new Government policy with regard to the payment of sustenance, and their cases are now under consideration, each of the men having been offered farm work and having indicated their unwillingness to accept jobs available. Following fhe procedure laid down, their cases have been referred by the placement service to the district employment officer, who has authority to deal with" the reasons for which the men have rejected the opportunity of work in the country. The men concerned are in the age group between 20 and 40 years, and inexperienced in farm work. Each is understood to have a case to present to the district employment officer, as to why country employment should not be accepted, and the individual cases will be dealt with on their merits. The group of 15 includes six single men who ordinarily engage in seasonal work- in the 'freezing industry; the balance being made up of single representatives of various branches of labouring work. Plenty of Country Work The State placement service in Gisborne has vacancies for at least 14 men under the No. 4F scheme, which furnishes facilities for employment of men on farms at standard wages, the employers receiving subsidies for periods up to six months during the training of men placed under this scheme. There are no applicants for these positions, on the roll of the placement service in this district; on the other hand, it would be possible to find many more vacancies if the men were on hand to fill them. Wages for farm labour reach 42s 6d per week, with accommodation and board, for mature workers. Accommodation is under supervision of the Labour Department, which at present has an officer carrying out inspections in this district. Vacancies for youths, on standard rates of pay without subsidy, are available in substantial numbers in Poverty Bay, according to the State placement officer, Mr. P. Hockley. At least 30 youths, from 15 to 19 years, could be found positions at once, at wages ranging from 17s 6d per week to 37s 6d per week, and "found." Full Time on Road Jobs Full time work on country road jobs, supervised by the county councils, have absorbed a large number of men in recent weeks, the Cook County Council's requirements having been filled lately by the dispatch of the last group of 15 men to jobs in the xounty; while the Waikohu County Council has taken on 40 men through the placement service, and has vacancies for two more men. Conditions are reported to be most satisfactory on these jobs, and the men are earning good money in congenial work.

I The dispatch of 12 men to Torere, for road work under the Public Works Department, was ah event'of consequence during the week, and more men will be sent to this locality as accommodation becomes available for them. There is work for two or three years ahead of these men, in improving the highway between Opotiki and Te Araroa,