SKILLED WORKERS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20740, 25 February 1939, Page 12

SKILLED WORKERS

MEN FROM AUSTRALIA STATEMENT BY MINISTER ißr Tele«naDh.—nmc C Association! AUCKLAND. Friday “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,” stated the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, when he outlined to-day the arrangements that had been made to receive skilled building tradesmen who were being enlisted in Australia. "The Labour Department is making arrangements to receive the men on board ship. Temporary accommodation will be available for them for a few days after their arrival and in the meantime arrangements are being made with builders and other employers needing skilled labour to apply to the offices of the Employment Division of the Labour Department in their respective towns. On receipt of the 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 in order that the men can be sent to different jobs on arrival,” the Minister said. Impetus to Industry “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 us bringing in more than the economic conditions justify,” concluded Mr Webb, "but I am confident that with the importation of this fresh skilled labour a new impetus will be given to the industry generally and consequently many hundreds of New Zealand unskilled workers will soon be engaged in permanent work.”