CARPENTERS FOR NORTH ISLAND

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23858, 29 January 1943, Page 2

CARPENTERS FOR NORTH ISLAND

DRAIN ON TRAINED MANPOWER PROTEST FROM OAMARU (0.R.) OAMARU, January 28. The serious position of building and allied trades in Oamaru, in consequence of the transfer of carpenters and joiners to Government work in the North Island, will be considerably improved as a result of representations by the Mayor (Mr J. C. Kirkness) to the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) and the Minister of Health (the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer). Prefabricated units for building are now to be constructed in Oamaru, thus providing work to absorb factory and building labour, and the building controller has been authorised to issue permits for any urgent work in the Oamaru district. In an interview this afternoon with a representative of “The Press” the Mayor said he had communicated with the Hon, D. G. Sullivan and the Hon A. H. Nordmeyer as follows: “I have been reliably informed that more carpenters and joiners are being transferred from Oamaru to Wellington Building here is practically at a standstill, and Oamaru citizens view this constant drain on towns, of trained manpower, seriously. The present Government policy will leave this district stagnant. The stoppage of permits in Oamaru has left contractors no option but to go to the North Island, where Government officers are offering them contracts. They naturally wish to take their men with them. . Sub-contractors are being thrown out of work, and one at least has already been forced to close down. This has had a serious effect on Oamaru as a whole. “I have been advised that one factory, at least, is contemplating closing down. I suggest why not utilise tradesmen in military camps; why not distribute the • necessary hospital accommodation throughout the Dominion so that future requirements may be provided in many districts, instead of concentrating the whole present building activity in North Island main centres/* Mr Sullivan, in reply, telegraphed the following advice; “Building labour is required urgently in Wellington for defence and earthquake reinstatement construction. This necessitates drawing new men from other districts and a corresponding curtailment in even relatively essential domestic work. I fully appreciate the nature of repercussions in your district, but have given district building controllers authority to reissue permits as, and when, circumstances permit.” Mr Nordmeyer replied as follows: “I have consulted the Minister of Public Works and the Commissioner of Works regarding the transference of labour from Oamaru to the North Island. As a result of conferences it has been decided that a considerable amount of prefabricated units will be constructed in Oamaru. This will provide work to absorb factory and building labour. Carpenters being transferred will be held in the North Island until supplies of material, and the preparatory work in connexion with prefabricated units, justify their return to Oamaru. ‘ln about a month the building controller is being authorised to issue any permit for urgent work in the Oamaru district.”