SCARCITY OF TRADESMEN

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24899, 12 June 1946, Page 9

SCARCITY OF TRADESMEN

Most country districts In Canterbury, and no doubt elsewhere, are suffering from an acute shortage of tradesmen to do the odd jobs that have piled up round homesteads and farm buildings during the war. Even at Lincoln College, which is within easy distance of the city, the same difficulty is being encountered. In his report to yesterday’s meeting of the Board of Governors of the college; Professor E. R. Hudson said, “Owing to a shortage of tradesmen and a reluctance to take country work, it is not possible to carry out all of the necessary maintenance of existing buildings. It is believed that if houses were available at the college no difficulty would be experienced in securing the necessary labour, and consequently the provision of homes for maintenance staff is a matter of urgency.” " The college can possibly provide accommodation, but few farms could support an odd-jobs man, and there are many districts in which an enterpris-, ing tradesman could make good money in repair work. The Rehabilitation Department could with profit consider the establishment of carpenters, plumbers, etc., in country centres.