SHORTAGE OF TRADESMEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 7

SHORTAGE OF TRADESMEN

SERIOUS VIEW OF POSITION WORKMEN FROM AUSTRALIA? [ Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 16. Questioned concerning the shortage of skilled tradesmen in New Zealand, the Minister of Labour, Hon. P. C. Webb, said that if the building programme of the Government was fully implemented, anything up to 10,009 tradesmen could be employed. "We are short of at least 3000 skilled workers in the Housing Department alone,” he said. "Everywhere people are crying out for homes and many cases are most pitiful. We are at least 20,000 houses short of requirements. This has been revealed by the housing survey undertaken some time ago. We want to build at least 6000 houses a year to meet the normal requirements but at the rate we are going, we cannot even supply the normal requirements, let alone catch up with the shortage. In addition, we have public buildings to construct to the extent of over £18,000,000. That embraces schools, hospitals, departmental buildings and post offices.

"Departments have sent in reports saying that buildings included in the programme I have indicated are immediate necessities. Obviously the more tradesmen we employ the greater will be the demand for unskilled workers so that if we were up to the maximum requirements in skilled men there would be a shortage of unskilled helpers. The Government has decided to bring in skilled men from overseas.

"It has been reported that a considerable number of skilled workers are out of employment in West Australia and builders from that State have been making inquiries as to whether it is worth while transferring their plants to New Zealand and bringing labour with them. The Government is anxious to obtain artisans and will see what men can be recruited from Australia,” said Mr Webb.

ARCHITECT’S APPRECIATION

ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF TRAINED ARTISANS [ Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, Feb. 16. At to-day's conference of the New Zealand Institute of Architects the following resolution was carried: “That this council of the New Zealand Institute of Architects expresses its appreciation of the statement of the Prime Minister, as published in the Press, that he is giving serious consideration to the advisability of ensuring an adequate supply of trained artisans essential to the building trade.” WORKERS COMING TO THE DOMINION

SYDNEY, Feb. 17. Union officials estimate that there are between 800 and 900 unemployed carpenters in New South Wales. The Bricklayers’ Union has 150 unemployed members and the Plasterers Union about 100 unemployed. Acting on the advice that there wili be plenty of work in New Zealand for some years some Newcastle carpenters have already left for New Zealand and others propose to follow.

NOT BEFORE JUNE

TRANS-TASMAN AIR SERVICE [ Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 16. "I do not think we will be able to start the trans-Tasman air service before June, because the Australian Government is not ready,” said the Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash, after inspecting the progress made with the construction of the terminal for the service in Mechanics’ Bay. “I think the contractor is getting on exceptionally well,” said Mr. Nash. "If the contractor’s predictions turn out to be true, the administrative building and workshops will be ready before the end of next month, in time for our original idea. "With regard to the trans-Tasman service, I know Captain J. W. Burgess is coming out and I hope he will be in charge," the Minister continued. "I think he will fly out in the first of the three boats, the Aotearoa.” Mr. Nash said that after long negotiations, arrangements for forming a company to operate the service, Tasman Empire Airways Limited, were nearing completion. The New Zealand Government was now waiting for a reply from England with regard to the articles of association and memorandum of association. It was likely that these would leave England by air mail by the end of next week.