UNSKILLED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 48, 20 November 1919, Page 3

UNSKILLED SOLDIERS

TRAINING IN BUILDING TRADE

CONFERENCE TO BE HELD

Although tho training of lit men is not one of its primary functions, the Wellington District Board feels that many lit unskilled returned soldiers might with advantage receive instruction in the building trade, and thus assist in alleviating the acute shortage of labour that is so seriously retarding house-build-ing operations at the present lime. With this idea the board recently ivtolo to the Master Builders' Union mid the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Jo' 1 1" cr.s (Wellington district) suggesting that liiese two bodies should confer with tho board to see if some definite arrangement could be arrived at . If convenient tho conference will be held at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. , In his letter to the Master Builders Union and the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, the district repatriation officer (Mr. C. \\. Batten) pointed out that tho Repatriation Board .was closely concerned with labour conditions as affecting returned soldiers. "Jt appears that tho shortage of labour in tho building trade is the crux of the house problem," wrote Mr. Batten, "and, therefore, it is suggested-that unskilled soldiers might bu trained with-advantage lo themselves and tho community." Ileplying to this communication, Mr. W. A. Grenfell, secretary of the Master Builders' Union, stated that the latter body would welcome and iissist in any way possible any proposal that would lead to the -securing of nioro workers in the building trade. There was a very great shorlago of men in tho trade at the present time. Ho thought the Repatriation Board might rely upon tho members of the Master jßiiiklers' Union favourably and sympathetically considering any scheme that would open tho way for tho employment of unskilled returned men. "The master builders are deeply sensible of the obligation devolving upon the business community of the country to assist in re-establisliing our Teturned men in useful employment," observed Mr. Grenfell, "and they recognise that many of them having matured from youth to manhood during, their period of war service, they now desire to tako advantage of the break ill their lives to start afresh by learning a trade Permit me to say'that I am sure' a number of the members of this union are willing to give employment to any returned men who aro prepared to work at tho building trnde, and if you will let any such keep in touch.with me I will do my very best to find tlieiu satisfactory employment.'"

Tho delegates from the Master Builders' Union to tho conference will be Messrs. A. M. Wilson, F. 6. Mace, and A. Mildenliall.

On behalf of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, Mr. F. Singleton (district secretary) has informed tho Repatriation Board that his society is willing to take part in the conference.