WORK IN TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 75, 24 April 1909, Page 5

WORK IN TARANAKI

THE LABOR DEPARTMENT AND FARMERS. | At tlie March meeting of the .Stratford County Council, the chairman, Cr. (). A. Marehant, mentioned some instances in his knowledge where men had refused to accept twelve shillings a day for gnws-seeding iu the baokbloeks. Cr. Merchant's statement was quoted in the newspapers, as a result of which some correspondence took place between Mr. Harry Willis, of the Labor Department, Xew Plymouth, and Mr. Marc'iiant. Oil seeing the paragraph, the former wired to Mr. Marehant, asking where men were required, and if he could guarantee that they would be given work when they got there. Mr. Marcliant, m reply, gave his authorities for the statement* he had made, but stated, inter alia, that lie could not. of course, guarantee t'liat the men would be given 'work, as tlicy might not prove suitable, and in any case they must' be prepared to do without city conveniences. A further letter from Mr. Willis thanked Cr. Marehant for his courtesy in replying, and pointed out that the Department was always actuated bv a desire to assist employers, free of charge, in obtaining men. Many persons, however, the letter continued, seemed to be unaware of the existence of the Labor Dpartment, and did not think of applying thereto when requiring men.

Cr, Astbury aaid that the chairman's remarks in this connection had been widely quoted, and went on to say that a speaker nt a subsequent Farmers' Union meeting had stated that he could find work for 1000 men in Taranaki. Cr. Astbury said lie had, when he heard the foregoing statement made, considered it exaggerated, as it proved to be. seeing that a person who was ont of work had subsequently applied to the Union concerning employment, and had been "shouldered ofT,"

Speaking after fortv years' experience of Taranaki, Cr. Marehant said he could say that he had never known men. prepared to do an honest day's work, tor a good day's pav. unable' for lon« to obtain work. The correspondence" hetween the Labor Department and himself might not have done much good, but still it might be of some little benefit in calling the attention of farmers more genel ally to the fact that the Txibor Departinent existed largely for the purpose of assisting employers to obtain men when required.—Post.