RELIEF WORKS SUBSIDY

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1930, Page 13

RELIEF WORKS SUBSIDY

NEW PLYMOUTH SEEKS MORE INCREASE OF £237 REQUESTED. I I APPROVAL Gif £7OO ANNOUNCED. A telegram” was received at a meeting of the New Plymouth Unemployment Committee yesterday from the,, Hon. S. G. Smith conveying approval of the following grants for additional works to relieve unemployment in New Plymouth:—(l) £7lO (£1 for £1) on work to be financed with public subscriptions; (2) £2 for £1 subsidy on i labour based on wages at the rate of i 14s per day up to £470, on the balance of works. A letter was read from Mr. C. Clarke, borough engineer, stating that he had written to Air. Smith asking for help in having the item £7lO subsidy granted'on a£l for £1 basis' on money expended from public subscriptions, altered to £947 on a £2 for £1 basis. The Prime Alinister had made a Statement in the House to the effect that £1 for £1 subsidy would be granted on labour costs only, of any relief work carried out by public subscriptions, which should encourage private citizens in as-sisting-to deal with the present serious position.’ In view of the Premier’s statement it was thought the committee was,entitled to £2 for £1 in place of £1 for £1 received.

If this were received, said the chairman, Air. P. E. Stainton, it would be possible to find an extra week’s employment for- the- same number of men as at present employed., \ . The committee will communicate with the Alinister of Public Works and the member for the district to thank them for past work and draw their- attention to the position regarding the subsidy as pointed out by Mr. Clarke. The motion was carried-.

If these representations were successful, it was stated, the £7lO already allocated would become £947 —an increase that would make all the difference and ensure the unemployed being kept upon relief work until the beginning of the suburban . sewerage contracts.