UNEMPLOYED ONLY

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 246, 17 October 1929, Page 8

UNEMPLOYED ONLY

FOR GOVERNMENT WORK PRIME MINISTER'S WARNING. EMPLOYERS CAN HELP. CO-OPERATION WITH B.UREAUX. (By Telcgiapn.-.—Parliamentary Keportor.j :'■•:' WELLINGTON, this day. The following statement was issued to-day by the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, regarding the published statement telegraphed from Christchurch that, difficulty is being experienced in obtaining rural workers:-— "The openings for employment on State undertakings have certainly not been framed on a competitive basis against private works, nor will they have that effect if employers make their needs known to the Government labour bureaux. The commencement of the Govrnment operations arose out of the urgent need that existed for bringing about in tlje interests of the workers a more balanced state in the labour market as a whole. A Cabinet Committee have inquired into the position at Christchurch and find that although the Press statement indicates there are vacancies for 40 or 50 farm workers, no inquiries whatever for that class of labour have been received at the Government labour bureau there. "All thetfc bureaux exist for the purpose of placing workers in employment. The public ami private fanners and other rural employers are strongly urged to make application to the Labour Department for any men whom they require. If that is done they can be assured that if men are on the books the employers' wants will be supplied. ]n .this councuton I would point out that workers requiring 'employment have been compelled to register themselves at the Government bureaux, and it is only reasonable to expect that employers needing men should look to that source for the fulfilment' of their requirements. It is appreciated that the fanning community are as anxious as the Government and country generally to overcome he question of surplus labour, and by .p , plying to the Government bureaux, which by now have a, complete register of all men requiring work, they will be at tlie same" time extending practical co-operation and ' having their own requirements met. "I might also add," said the Prime Minister, "that there is no intention of sending farm workers to relief works when employment' in their own occupations is offering, and in this connection it would be of assistance if farmers ' would' supply the nearest Government ; •Labour bureau with the names of any men whom thyo know to be leaving- their * normal occupations with the object of being placed on Government works. Such ( men will not be offered employment by ( the State. It .is only fair to .warn workers that a record is being kept of ' men refusing, for inadequate reasons, to accept work when it is offered them, and A tliat no further offers of work will be s made to them." '-' I