EMPIRE TRADE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 49, 27 February 1913, Page 8

EMPIRE TRADE

COMMISSION'S SITTINGS AT DUNEDIN. domesticTervants. (St TBLEGBAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN, This Day. Before the Empire Trade Commissioners, Lady M'Lean and Mrs. Lindo Ferguson submitted a written statement regarding the need for an increased supply of domestic servants for the Dominion. They pointed out that the present position was exceedingly acute. Immigrant ships were heing besieged by employers. They also referred to the great demand for specialised servants, and advocated the importation of girls between 15 and 19 years of age, to be trained for six months in a .central training institution for the Dominion. Such institution could be made largely* self-supporting by laundry work. • It should be under Government control, assisted by an advisory committee. Professor Park, of the Otago Mining School, advocated national reservation of the coal areas of New Zealand and Australia, which was a question of more than domestic interest, being of vital importance regarding the defence of the Empire. The amount of available coal should be accurately determined, and certain reservations ought to be made in each State. New Zealand coal was being used with prodigal waste. Mr. George Joachim, managing director of the Westport Coal Company, gave ifc a» his opinion that New Zealand would hay* to go more to Newcastle for future coal supplies.