CITY STAFFS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 99, 29 April 1939, Page 7

CITY STAFFS.

REDUCED WORK. INQUIRIES IN AUCKLAND. EFFECT OF IMPORT COTS. A complete investigation into the effects on employment of the import control regulations is being carried out in Auckland by the Chamber of Commerce, which this week lias issued nearly 700 questionnaires to its members. The returns will be analysed and collated in a comprehensive national survey of the position organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce. Information Is sought in regard to (I) the number of employees dismissed udder the import restrictions for the first sixmonthly period, (2) the number dismissed under the restrictions for the second six-monthly period, and (3i the number likclv to be dismissed in the future bceause of the effects of the restrictions. In an endeavour to assist importers and members of their staffs who have been thrown out of employment, the Chaml>er of Commerce has been inquiring into the scope for expanding employment ji» the manufacturing industries, but in this direction difficulties have been encountered. The operation of minimum wage scales and the basic wage, the question of age and the lack of any factory training or experience have been obstacles in the way of a general transfer of men and women from the importing and distributing trades into manufacturing. One of the greatest problems of the manufacturers is stated to be the lack of sufficient highly-skilled cperatives and a shortage of youths and girls. If these needs could be met, the plants extended and award conditions made more elastic a considerable number of those now seeking positions could l>e placed, but the investigations so far have not encouraged hopes of a rapid solution. Recent inquiries have been made for trained factory workers overseas, but without any marked response.