USE OF THE 4A SCHEME.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1932, Page 2

USE OF THE 4A SCHEME.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —A number of remarks reported to have been made by the chairman of the Eltham. Unemployment Committee have had widespread publication, and Mr. Bridger has been greatly praised for his outspoken and wise counsel. Had they been recognised as merely the remarks of an angry man outstanding mainly by their lack of wisdom, the Mayor, owing Jto the difficulties he must experience in i his position, could have been forgiven, and the insult to the farming community in general and applicants under the da schema could have, been overlooked and forgotten. But when almost every day one is confronted with Mr. Bridger’s remarks in the Press, even so widespread as to be included in the Auckland and Wellington papers, quoted by men with Labour interests and others who are anxious to grasp another opportunity to have a dig at the farmer,

it is time some truth was known of the position. The remarks arose from two applications from the Kaponga district, and such accusations as “a shameful position,” - “simply slavery,” “that if the two applications were refused men would be engaged under ordinary conditions as they had been doing for years,” related directly to the applications and were a fair example of what he termed “serfdom on the farm,” Mr. Bridger said, “We have a national duty to perform in refusing the applications” and. “if these two farmers are entitled to men under the scheme no one should be refused.”

This is the position of one of the applicants. He is a young- farmer, this being his first year farming on his own behalf. In addition to the difficulty of farming profitably at the prices ruling he sustained very severe losses and has not derived any income from the farm. He has never had more than one employee and is paying him wages greatly in excess of what is customary to pay such employees. Being aware that the Government through extensive advertising were urging farmers to assist by engaging additional labour under the 4a scheme, he made inquiries from the local authorities, who informed him there were many cases of distress locally and an application would be gladly received, mentioning one case in particular where the young man was unwell, but it was considered would be suitable on recovery. The application was signed, giving an allowance of 5s in addition to keep. Not knowing the value of the employee he was being allotted, this was considered ample, as many youths on the unemployed would not be worth their keep on a farm. When- the young mail and his mother were interviewed it was found to be indeed an urgent case, and they were very grateful. The father was on relief work, and the son unwell. Before his illness he had been under the No. 5 scheme, receiving one day a week at 9s. Out of that he had to -pay his mother an allowance and contribute to the unemployment fund through his levy.

On complete recovery the young man was conveyed by the farmers, who gave him one of the best rooms in his house, and in every way was made to feel he was an equal member in it. The first week he was given light duties, at the conclusion of which he was given the whole week-end off to go home, with double the allowance promised, and a tin of tobacco, as well as the pleasant feeling that for the .first time in six months he had experienced the happiness of decent employment. A few days following Mr. Bridger’s remarks were read in the Press. I understand when Mr. Bridger was acquainted with the true position was a greatly changed man from that depicted, in the newspaper and said there would be no difficulty in the applications going through, but, alas! he was too late.: Already his dramatic story had been blazoned forth in the principal newspapers of the North Island and the insult passed on the farming community and this applicant under the 4a scheme. Several weeks have passed since this young man was informed his position had been accepted by the unemployment committee, arid each week he has walk* ed six or seven miles to receive his allowance, but, no such luck. He was told there was nothing for him so far as the money had not been forwarded, and thus he has been thrust solely upon the mercy of his “slave driver” employer. I might say that even und.ei’ such circumstances lie is much happier than when relying solely upon the unemployment committee under the No. 5 scheme. No one takes pleasure denouncing men who have given much valuable time in serving the interests of the community on the various unemployed committees, but Mr. Bridger would be well. advised to investigate cases before making such drastic, and foolish, statements, and, I can assure him that he will find tne farming community just as Anxious to assist in the present crisis as he is, and in the present case one of their number has been infinitely more successful.— I am, etc., ANOTHER CONSIDERATE EMPLOYER