CHRISTCHURCH.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 109, 31 January 1908, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH.

January 28. Tho "l'ress". extensively quotes from tho Labour Department's journal, to show that there is a strong demand for labour in many parts of tho Dominion, ill numerous cases hands being unobtainable, and remarks that it will be curious to see how tho committee of the Trades and Labour Council, who aro to draft the. letter to the English papers, manage, to get round the awkward obstacle presented by these oflicial reports, which show that there is plenty of work in New Zealand for willing bands. In view of the fact that tho wages in almost every industry are now lixed by the Arbitration Court, it is nonsense to argue that the arrival of workers from the Old Country would reduce wages. The Council, unfortunately, seems utterly unable (o understand that any carpenter, or hoot operative, or other mechanic coming here from the Old Country would be. a consumer as well as a worker, and would, thoroforo add to tbe demand for the labour of tho* working members of the Council and those whom tlicy represent. It is one. of several elementary principles of jxilitical economy which the Labour I'ari.v in New Zealand either will not or cannot grasp. The '"'I inies" considers (lie attitude of the Trades and Labour Council "economically unsound, as well as unpatriotic." The views of Mr. J. ,E. ilaxch, tlio GovorJinieiii tuunieratiou

agent, who, of course, is an authority oil.tho work.of his department, aro not tlioso of tlje Trades Council. Sir.Marsh left for Wellington on Saturday night to meet the immigrants who arc oxpected to arrive by -tlioCorinthie, awl in conversation with la "Press" representativiv ho said that from previous experience ho was quite satisfied that they would all bo placed without dillicujty. There was a great demand, esue: ciall.v in tho North Island, for labourers in farms and in dairies, and a large proportim of the nowcouiers were labourers who filled ie(|uirements in that direction. The Course of Truo Love. Cupid _ fluttered through tho musty air of the Police Court yesterday and sent ,'ijwo hearts off rejoicing to the Registry Office,, there to be mado 0110. ' The swain, a-yoilng man, occupied the rather hopeless position of, defendant in a suit for arrears of'maintenance, and tho complainant was his erstwhilo lady love, who badly.Wanted tho |arroars; but when the glances of the defendant 'roving round in search of a friendly face|oncountcrcd that of the girl, smiles were exchanged, and then the pair beamed on each other. Tho defendant explained that ho bad been willing nil along to marry the girl;'jand' she set forth a tale about stern relatives forbidding,the banns. "Suppose you go (ititsidc and talk it over," the Magistrate kindly suggested. They did go out, to return in a few minutes, when tho lady made, a blushing announcement that they would, with tho permission of tho Court, hie themselves off to buy the ring and find a parson! (Tho Court expressed its general ''disapproval of such hastily arranged affairs,' but indulgently allowed the o.ourso of truo • lovo to run smpotb in this case. J: