SKILLED LABOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8354, 14 February 1913, Page 10

SKILLED LABOUR

NEED FOR IMMIGRATION. INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION AND EMPIRE COMMISSION. The subject of immigration was touched upon at last night’s meeting of the Wellington Provincial Industrial Association. Air AI. Ross, New Zealand officer to the Empire Trades Commission, wrote asking if the association would appoint representatives to give evidence before the Commission on the question. Mr L. R. Partridge (chairman) said the matter was an important one. There was a great shortage of_ skilled labour in the Dominion, ana indus-. tries had been held back because of it. He had not been able to get figures of the total number of men required, blit he could do with twenty iu his own business. The Labour Department was sending an official through the Dominion to gather information as to the shortage of skilled labour. Mr C. B. Norwood moved that Air J. P. Luke be appointed the association’s representative to give evidence before the Commission on the question. Mr Partridge said that if possible, he would be glad to assist Mr Luke. Ho knew the difficulty there was in obtaining skilled labour in the Dominion. Air D. Robertson proposed that Air Partridge, the secretary (Air H. F. Allen), and Air Luke be the association’s representatives. Air AI. Alanthel was of opinion that members of the association should be given a free hand. Members might be circularised as to a suitable date to go before the Commission, and then they could, if they chose, give individual evidence. Air Robertson’s proposition was carried, the suggestion of Air Alrnthol also being adopted.