THE OTAGO LABOR EXCHANGE

Dunstan Times, Issue 440, 23 September 1870, Page 3

THE OTAGO LABOR EXCHANGE

( Daily Times.) This Institution which has been established by the Government, and is managed by Mr. Colin Allan, formerly Immigration Agent, has been already, during the few days it has been opened, of considerable service to the employer and the employe ; and it will, doubtless, bo of still more service when the arrangements for conducting the business of its branch offices have been completed, and when it becomes better known, and its advantages more widely appreciated. Subjoined is a description of the manner in which the business of the Exchange is conducted : On a servant making application for employment. his name and address are entered in the Servants’ Application Booh, together with the date of his application, the date of his arrival in the colony, the name of the country of which he is a native and his calling, trade, or profession. Also, whether he is single or married, and if married the number of his family, the name and address of his last employer, the capacity in which he served with him, and his character as gathered from his testimonials, if any. On the employer coming to the Exchange, he examines the list of names and other particulars relative to the applicant, as entered in the Servants’ Application Book. On the engagement being completed, he enters on the other side of the book, and opposite to the applicant’s name, his own name and address, the date of engagement, the term for which the applicant is engaged, the wages, and whether weekly, quarterly, or yearly, and any other special remarks, in a column set apart for the purpose. When an employer applies at the Exchange and cannot obtain a (suitable servant at the time, there is entered in a book, called tho Employers’ Application Book, the date of application, his name and address, the class of servant wanted by him, whether married or single, the term of engagement, the date on which he or she will be required to enter his service, whether with or without rations, or board and lodging, the rate of wages offered, and whether they will be paid weekly, monthly

or yearly, and any other necessary particulars, • In the Servants’ Character Book are kept the names of applicants for employment, who have been already employed by means of the Exchange. In it are entered the name and address of each applicant ; in whoso employment he has last been engaged, and in what capacity; his general character for sobriety, honesty, &c. ; the date when, and the cause why, he left his last employer, and any other particulars that may be required. In connection with the Servants’ Character Book, there is a book called the Certificates of Character Book. An employer, upon engaging a servant, receives a printed form, which is torn from this book, and is filled in with particulars relative to the engagement, &c. The foil of this form is retained in the book after the manner of a cheque or receipt book, and contains particulars similar to those in the Servant’s Character Book, with the exception of the time of his leaving the service of the person by whom he is being employed, and his character. The employer is requested to fill in the form given to him with the desired informal ion, and transmit it to the Exchange in order that it may be written into the foil to be of use in subsequent hirings. It is important, especially in case of newly arrived immigrants, that this form be returned as described, as many of them upon landing have no certificates of character. When a letter is sent from a person living in the country, authorising tue employment of a servant, the manager signs this agreement as agent, and all such applications are attended to in the order in which they are made. It is intended to establsh branch offices in Tokomairiro, Balclutha, Oamaru, and any other place at which a telegraph statinu may be opened, the telegraph stations being intended to be used as branch offices. Books similar to those referred to will be distributed at each of the braWch offices, so that the employer and the employe can ascertain those who are desirous of obtaining workers and those desirous of obtaining work. From each of these stations the manager in Dunedin will, when required, recieve and send telegrams, by which he can ascertain the localities in which persons are out of employment, and the places where work can be procured for them; and also the current rates of wages in the various districts. Thesetelegrams will beposted up outside the various offices. Applications from the district offices for labor which cannot 1 e supplied upon the spot Will be tansmitted to Dunedin, or to any place where there may chance to be a superabundance of labor. The manager will, of course, make in his plans any modification thatmay be suggested by experience. No fees are demanded from newly-arrived immigrants, 1 ut those who have been already employed pay a fee of 2s fid, and a similar fee is paid by employers.