HOUSING HELD BASIC PROBLEM FOR EXPANDING IMMIGRATION

Press, Volume C, Issue 29444, 21 February 1961, Page 16

HOUSING HELD BASIC PROBLEM FOR EXPANDING IMMIGRATION

In attracting immigrants, the basic problem was housing, said Mr R. H. Stewart at last evening’s meeting of the council of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association. If. as indicated by the economic survey by the Prime Minister a few minutes before, there was going to be a change in the Government’s housing policy, the need for labour might alter. The New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation wrote that a questionnaire was being prepared to obtain the labour requirements of industry, so that real evidence for an extended Immigration policy could be presented to the Government "I don’t think anybody knows at this stage how many people we need,” said the president (Mr J. K. Dobson). The federation had decided to press for 5000 immigrants this year. The applications depended on the economic positions of the countries in which the intending migrants lived, said Mr L. H. Govan. Although English workers had enjoyed better conditions in the last three years, the conditions and incomes offering in New Zealand were advantageous, said Mr Dobson. Some manufacturers knew that labour was available. ‘The problem in industry today is how to house the immigrants,” said Mr Dobson. “That has stopped manufacturers from moving. The question is; how do you house

them when you get them? The Prime Minister said this evening that the Government would have to look at housing. You might get workers out here by private-enterprise housing.” How was the labour demand to be ascertained when many manufacturers did not belong to the association? asked a member. The figures couid be ascertained from all manufacturers by the Labour Department, said the secretary (Mr R. T. Alston). Very few manufacturers in Canterbury were not members of the association. Changing Demand “I might want 100 persons today but if housing is cut down I might not need them in six months,” said Mr Stewart, emphasising that the basic problem in engaging labour from overseas was housing. Mr H. Govan said New Zealand had to try to keep its workers and not let them go overseas. No idea of the number of immigrants needed could be given until a clear picture on balance of payments and employment in the country was given by the Government, said Mr A. H. Lee. “We cannot say we want 10,000. 15,000 or 20.000,” said Mr Dobson, supporting the issue of the questionnaire. ‘‘At least, this will give us some indication of the categories and the numbers we need.” The number of persons wanted for new industries.

apart from those required to fill shortages in existing industries. would have to be ascertained, said Mr R. G, Pearce. Mr Dobson: The requirements will be known to the Government We should give the figures for existing industry and what we require the Government to do. Labour Availability Industry had been told In recent years that certain labour was not available from overseas, yet New Zealand House in London reported plenty of applications from intending migrants, said Mr Pearce. The bogy that the labour was not available was surely truly exposed. Mr Dobson: We have to give the concrete figures of labour required. If anybody challenged us at the moment, we would not be able to say how many workers we are short Mr Govan: Mr Holyoake said tonight there were 8500 vacancies. Mr Pearce: Notified vacancies. New Zealand could report having 7000 assisted immigrants in one year; but how many were workers? asked Mr Dobson. “It is an fairy-airy,” said Mr Govan. Figures compiled today might not be worth anything in six months. “We should expect to need more labour in 12 months, otherwise we don't anticipate any expansion at all,” remarked Mr Dobson.