MEN FROM AUSTRALIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 February 1939, Page 5

MEN FROM AUSTRALIA

TO UNDERTAKE BUILDING WORK NO RUSH ALL AT ONCE INTENDED STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF LABOUR. EARLY APPLICATION ADVISED. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. AUCKLAND, February 24. “It is not intended to arrange for a rush of men to come to New Zealand all at once, but they will be brought over in such numbers as can conveniently be placed,” said the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, when he outlined today the arrangements that had been made to receive the skilled building tradesmen who are being enlisted in “The Labour Department is making arrangements to receive the men on board ship,” said Mr Webb, “Temporary accommodation will be made available for them a few days after their arrival. In the meantime arrangements are being made with builders and other employers needing skilled men do apply to the offices of the employment division of the Labour Department in their respective towns. “On receipt of information as to their requirements the department will be in a position to supply a considerable amount of the skilled labour required. It is therefore essential for those in need of skilled men to make application at the earliest moment m order that men can be sent to the different jobs on their arrival.” The Minister said it was certain that many builders would be on the lookout for skilled men in order to tender for fresh work, but it was not the Government’s intention to have hundreds of tradesmen brought into the country before arrangements had been made for their placement. Some of the men would come to New Zealand straight away. , . “There is no possibility of our bringing in more than the economic conditions justify,” added the Minister, “but I am confident that with the im.portation of this fresh skilled labour a new impetus will be given to industry generally, and consequently many hundreds of New Zealand unskilled workers will soon be engaged in permanent work.” not thousands _ \ TWO HUNDRED MEN THUS FAR ENGAGED. (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P., said 200 men had thus far been engaged for building work in New Zealand These men will be sent to New Zealand by the first vessel on which berths are available.