THE MINISTER FOR LABOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2810, 22 January 1908, Page 37

THE MINISTER FOR LABOUR.

INTERVIEWED AT CHRISTCHURCH, CHRISTCHURCH, January 19. The Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Labour, who arrived yesterday morning from Wellington, and left 'for Dunedin by the first express, was seen by a. Press representative, who obtained -from the-Minis-ter some interesting items of general importance. ' ' 'i SCARCITY OF LABOUR. Referring, to the- shortage of boy and girl labour, Mr. Millar said that the complaints of the shortage .appeared to be very general, and manufacturers stated that they could materially increase thenoutputs- if . they could' get the requisite labour. The shortage- was not only in regard to boy and girl labour, but. also in several industries in regrard to journeymen. " I have been going into the matter," the Minister continued,"" and obtaining all possible information, and this I intend laying before the Cabinet, but I do not think that the Government has any intention of inaugurating a general immigration policy, though it may see the necessity for doing something in the direction of providing more domestic servants, and this phase of the question will also be considered by the Gabinet. Australia has a definite scheme under way and it seems to be attracting a good number of domestic servants to the Commonwealth. Steps are being taken privately throughout the Dominion to get girls from Great Britain. Ladies in Napier have importeß between 30 and 40 girls. People are coming to the Dominion of their own accord," the Minister added, " and are absorbed as soon as they arrive" EFFECT OF THE TARIFF. " The tariff, so far as I can find out," Mr. Millar said, in reply to a- question, "is giving very general satisfaction. Inquiries were made by a reporter 'in Wellington as to whether the consumer was receiving the benefit of the reductions, and it was clearly proved that in almost every line prices have been reduced .by, the amount of duty taken off. Sugar has come down to 2d per pound, and the only lines that have not been reduced are those of which the price has been increased in Eng1 land, but in those cases the prices • would have been higher if the duty had not been reduced. It is too early yet to speak of cotton goods, as the reduction only^ came into force on the Ist inst, but I 'understand that many lines have been, lowered | by. the amount of duty remitted, but ■

other linos the price at Home of whicif have increased have not yet been reduced. " Taken as a whole, I think I ani 'safe in saying that the bulk of the reductions ara going into the pockets of the consumer 5 , and, co far as trade is concerned, manufacturers inform me that they have never been so busy for many years. Their one complaint is not want of work; but want of hands. Taking into, consideration the facts that employment' has increased^that there i« a 'greater permanency of employment, and s that the reductions made - are .being received by ,the people fof whom, they were intended/ I niay . fairly "clainy that, so far, the tariff has been successful.' - IMPORTATION OF GRAPES. Regarding the peculiar position which hag arisen in connection with the reduction -of the duty on Australian -grapes, Mr Millar said that the revocation or alteration of i the regulations preventing the- importation, of grapes was a matter under the poritrol of the Minister of Agriculture."' It 'had been decided to "remove- the restrictive, regulation and make other regulations junder which Australian grapes can be imported, [ but these have not been completed yet. •__ LIGHTHOUSES. \ " ' '- As to the nroiposed lighthouse at • th« I Snakes, ,tJK© -Minister stated that the I^rinioMinister had, communicated. with the Prime I Minister .oi- the Commonwealth reopening ! the question of, the cost of the lighthouse I being borne jontly by- the Commonwealth' land .the Dominion, but' he did not think that any reply had" been-'Veceived. "At present the Hinemoa is surveying sites' at Cape Brett and the North Cape for a new lighthouse, and one or other will be decided upon. Shipmasters consider that Cap* Brett is the more suitable ,site. Asked if he would say- anything reeardinjr the Independent Labour party, the Ministei said that he was" reserving 4iis remarks on the subject for an address he intended giving in Dunedin shortly. . 1 THE MINISTER'S MOVEMENTS. Whilst in the south Mr Millar will visit Invercargill and Port Molyneux; At the last-mentioned place he will inquire into the. requirements necessary to provide a harboui- for fbhermen. Shortly after his return to Wellington — in about a fortnight's time— Mr Millar intends paving his long-promised yisit % to tie West Coast of the South Island.