SHORTAGE OF LABOUR.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1604, 22 November 1912, Page 6

SHORTAGE OF LABOUR.

. e . KAIAPOI WOOLLEN CO. STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN OF DIRECTORS. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Christchurch, November 21. A "Press" reporter to-day saw Mr. G. H. Blaclcwcll, chairman ot directors of the Kaiapoi Company, regarding the case of the girl reported yesterday. "from the .remarks reported in the newspapers,"' Mr. Blackweil said, "it would'appear that the company has not exercised proper caro in selecting girls. That is not the case. The company.has been exceedingly careful,. In the.case of the girl who was before the Court yesterday the company's agent at Home acted entirely contrary to his instructions. The company has decided in this case to re-ship the girl back to her home in England, and she is to go by the Tainui leaving to-day. Naturally, the company greatly regrets that such a case should have arisen, but it was one that could hardly k> avoided, The company has now decided not to-import labour. The girls imported by the company' compare very fnvourably with the average.worker, and the occasions have been few upon which the company has had reason for complaint. With regard to the girls that were brought out lately they were selected by one of the company's men from its clothing factory who was in England. "The difficulty experienced in obtaining labour in tho Dominion is so great," Mr. Blaclcwcll continued, "that the Kaiapoi Woollen Company, which was originallyestablished for the development of an important local industry, is rapidly becoming an importing concern owing to the shortage of labour. There is a steady drain on the company's factory employees owing to the girls getting married and to other causes. Vacancies are thus created which w« are unable te fill, though we hnvo spent a considerable- sum in advertising for labour all over the Dominion. I think the e'empany can claim some credit for .having brought to the Dominion labaur that is in request by different industries in tho Dominion. The outlook from tho local manufacturers' point of view is not very satisfactory. The Kaiapoi Company, as far as I can see, is rapidly developing into an importing company. With what labour we can get we will continue the work at the company's mills, but under present conditions everything, is suffering. We havo had to shut up our order books because w<s are net able to execute orders owing to the shortags of labour."