PRODUCTIVE WORK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 133, 8 June 1931, Page 6

PRODUCTIVE WORK

A VALUABLE SCHEME LAN D DEVELOPMEN T OPERATIONS The Minister of Labour (Hon. 8. G. Smith), who is chairman of the Unemployment Board, to-day released for publication the following information concerning the operation of Scheme No. . 48. “The scheme,” said the Minister, “is proving a most important factor in placing unemployed men on the land, t in bringing into occupation thousands* of acres of previously unused land, and in developing large areas so that they are now capable of carrying considerably more stock and of growing additional crops. “The Unemployment Board provides a subsidy up to £75 per contract under this scheme, based on 33 1-3 per cent, of the labour cost, and up to«tho present date 247 contracts nave been arranged. These are providing employment for approximately (500 men, and the total is growing each week. “The principal work carried out. under the contracts has been the following:— Scrub cut ling 4.370 acrci Draining 3,879 chains l-’oncing 4.634 Stumping. logging and clearing 626 acres Bush felling 2,919 Grubbing 464 *’ Sowing 645 Top-dressing 300 *’ “In addition to this important- work* contracts have been undertaken involving the planting of 409,000 marram grass plants, the splitting of 400 posts. 360 chains of reading, 176 acres of ploughing and barrow ing, and 40 chains of irrigation race. “The commitments approved to date in connection with the cost of the contracts amount to £6.425, and the < pendilure of this sum is estimated eventually result in the following additional stock being carried on the various holdings affected; 2,950 cattle and 14,606 sheep and 200 extra tons of fla* are also anticipated to be produced. “These results,’’ concluded the Minister, “are considered very satisfactory, and the board is hopeful of inaugurating other schemes that willha\® equally beneficial and lasting effects.’’