SUSPENSION DECIDED

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1934, Page 13

SUSPENSION DECIDED

SUBSIDISED FARM WORK SCHEME.

UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD’S OPINION.

“The Unemployment Board has definitely decided to suspend scheme No. 4a from the beginning of next year,” stated Mr. W. Bromley, the deputychairman of the board, to a Daily News reporter yesterday. Mr. Bromley is paying an official visit of inspection to Taranaki. He arrived at New Plymouth at midday yesterday and in the afternoon visited the oil wells. He will go north to Mokau to-day, returning in the evening. To-morrow and possibly on Friday he will be in South Taranaki. Scheme 4a referred to is one of those dealing with subsidised farm labour and applies mainly to single men. The board has paid the worker 10s a week, while the farmer has contributed 5s and keep. The man was only to be employed upon developmental work. A number have been placed in the province under the scheme, though there are only a few in North Taranaki.

Mr. Bromley said the board was fully aware that the question of farm labour was a difficult problem, but there did not appear to be any lack of employment. The board’s desire was to make an effort to direct as much as possible surplus labour to normal channels of employment.

In yesterday morning’s , Daily News there were no less than 20 advertisements for farm labour wanted in Taranaki at wages varying from 15s to 35s a week. It has been claimed that many of the relief Schemes are too attractive and that men are unwilling to leave them to take work on farms. Mr. Bromley was unwilling to make any statement until he had familiarised himself with conditions in Taranaki.