SHORTAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 128, 2 June 1938, Page 10

SHORTAGE.

DOMESTIC SERVANTS.

FARM WORKERS NEEDED.

MIGRATION SUGGESTIONS. The shortage of domestic servants, farm workers and skilled artisans in certain trades is dealt with in the report of the migration committee of the Five Million Club.

"There is considerable and irrefutable evidence of a severe shortage of household assistance in the Dominion," said the report. "There is ample proof that the New Zealand-born female is not attracted to this type of employment. Any immigrants brought in to relieve this shortage would therefore be a clear addition to population without any fear of causing hardship or competition among' indigenous workers."

The shortage of domestics had been advanced as one of the causes of the country's low birth rate, and was a cause of hardship in a number of families in the salaried classes where there were children. The committee was of opinion that 3000 girls and young women could be given immediate employment in households.

From North Europe. Capable and healthy females of North European stock were available for migration to the Dominion, said the report. The committee was in touch with organisations in a position to send out females of a suitable type, and the club should be given the opportunity of undertaking thie work, giving the Government an assurance to place the girls, and holding itself responsible for their welfare during the first five years of residence. On sailing, the girls would have to give an undertaking to remain in the homes to which they were allotted for a period or not less than two years.

Referring to the shortage of farm labour, tlie committee suggested that between 800 and 900 additional workers were necessary for the agricultural industry, and the committee proposed that the requirements should be filled from Northern Ireland, Scotland, Austria, and Switzerland. An effort should be made to obtain Governmentassisted passages for these migrants, and, where necessary, passage money could be advanced on a repayment system. Migrants would be called upon to undertake a minimum of five years' farm service from the time of landing in New Zealand.

Retired Families. To induce retired families to come to New Zealand, the committee suggested that definite monetary assistance should lie offered—for instance, the duty-free entry of their furniture and personal effects, the relinquishment of death duties in the first generation after settlement, or freedom from all income tax for the first three years of residence.

The committee also proposed that to make up tlic shortage of skilled artisans tradesmen of the type most greatly needed should be brought out to the Dominion. The committee dealing with the subject should interest the trades hall sufficiently for the unions concerned to give voluntary aid.