MORE JOBS TO BE FOUND

Southland Times, Issue 23840, 10 June 1939, Page 8

MORE JOBS TO BE FOUND

» Tasks For Seasonal ' Workers CREATING ASSETS FOR NATION Government's Plan To Aid Men In Winter (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 9. Winter employment for several thousand seasonal workers, through the various State departments, on local body jobs and on farms is planned by the Minister of Labour (the Hon. P. C Webb). The scheme, which involves a number of important works in the Auckland district was discussed by Mr Webb today with the heads of various Government departments.

“I had a conference with the 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 included those who worked in the freezing and dairy industries, at harvesting, shearing and fruit picking, and in the tobacco industry in the south. “SAVINGS EATEN UP” “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,” Mr Webb 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 sustenance. “The work being planned,” he continued, “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. Included in the works will be casements on railways, afforestation, land clearing and draining, river protection work, removing dangerous bends and the construction of new roads where deemed necessary.” Mr Webb said that, in addition, arrangements were being made for a considerable amount of contract work in assisting farmers to clear their land of scrub to bring more into 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. The Minister said he had already attended to similar work in the South Island.