THE LABOR MARKET

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 75, 24 April 1909, Page 2

THE LABOR MARKET

By Telegraph.—Press Association, i Auckland, Last Night. The lion. A. W. Hogg, Minister f<>r | Laliov, interviewed on his arrival in Auckland, gave an interesting statement in regard to tile conditions pievailiii" in New Zealand from a labor point Of view. "Since I have taken over the Portfolio of Labor," declared Mr. lfogg, " 1 consider that the conditions of"the labor market have been exceedingly satisfactory, notwithstanding the fact that we have had to contend with something of an unemployed dillicultv, which to a greater or lesser extent prevails every winter. Very fewurgent cases for relief or assistance li;i\e | come under mv notice, and those matters which have forced themselves on my I attention 1 have had no dillicnltv in contending with. Some of the new ar- | rivals from Ihe Old Country, not acquainted with farming or agricultural work, find some difficulty in obtaining employment, especially men confined to a knowledge oi a single trade. [f under such circumstance- they are willing to accept pick and shovel work, the .Public Works Department can generally find something for them lo do. On the roads of this country at the pres.'nt time,'' continued the Minister of Labor, "there are just 3000 men working under tinRoads anil, ltridges Department. Although we'are rapidly exhausting t lie voles, amounting to liearlv lliree(|iiartcrs of a million. I mil making every elt'orl to keep men employed, especially when they arc engaged advantageously upon work of an urgent nature lliat will lie of practical use to the settlers of this country."