Employers Told To Train Labour

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31145, 23 August 1966, Page 3

Employers Told To Train Labour

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 22. Until employers realised the importance of training within industry, New Zealand would have to rely on immigrants to relieve the skilled labour shortage, said Sir James , Fletcher today.

A check in Auckland showed that many firms were experiencing growing labour problems, particularly in engineering. Sir James Fletcher said some firms were limited to the number of apprentices they could take, but there were many who did not provide training opportunities. From an economic standpoint, it was not profitable for firms to train youths and give the necessary technical education.

“They are fools,” he said, “because in the ultimate there will be a material increase.” The managing-director of Mason Bros., Ltd., Mr J. D. Ellis, said that immigration on a short-term basis w’as no answer to the problem.

He considered New Zealand had to stabilise its public expenditure before embarking on any increased immigration policy. “We have got to put our demands more in line with the total availability of the labour force,” he said. “Until public spending is contained, you’ll get no answer to inflationary pressure.”

Increased taxation would not provide the cure, for what the Government gathered in taxation was promptly spent.

The secretary of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association (Mr J. Whatnall) said the situation was getting worse, with several companies even taking the skill out of their manufacturing in an effort to by-pass the problem. His association and other employer organisations were awaiting a report from the Monetary and Economic Council, after submissions made to the Government on labour and immigration.