SHORTAGE OF LABOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 112, 15 May 1939, Page 10

SHORTAGE OF LABOUR

PROVIDING A REMEDY

NEW ZEALANDERS FIRST

The question of whether it would be advisable for New Zealand to import immigrants to lighten the effect of the shortage of labour on farms, in factories, and in the homes was introduced by a deputation which interviewed the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) today. The Minister said the Government aimed at finding work for New Zealanders ■ before embarking on an immigration scheme.

It was stated that there was retardation of enterprise and development evident in many important spheres of the Dominion's activities because of the impossibility of meeting the demands for labour. The country needed experienced artisans and factory hands of the right type to cope with the expansion of industries, and it also needed healthy young women to help lift the burdens in many city and country households. Mr. Parry said it was good to rea-j lise that enterprise and the conditions j of today, which were causing New Zealand to advance so rapidly, brought in their train an abundance of work. It was correct that in primary and secondary industries there was not nearly sufficient labour available, but it would be wrong to say that the Government was not making stout efforts —not without success —to relieve the position in many ways. The" deputation had spoken of reviving the country's immigration policy which had been dormant ' for some years. GOVERNMENT'S DESIRE. "That brings up first among: many questions," the Minister said, "the welfare of our own people. We must sec that all our men, women, and young people are satisfactorily and beneficially placed before any scheme for immigration is decided on. The chief desire of the Government is to see that all avenues of employment get their right type of labour and the explorations of the Labour and Industries Departments are all in that direction." Many inquiries, continued the Minister, were being received by members of the Government from people in English and foreign countries who wished to settle in New Zealand. Some of the letters were from chemists, scientists, geologists, engineers, mechanics of different kinds, farm and factory hands, and not a few of the inquirers resided in countries seriously affected by the international crisis. INTEREST ABROAD. "It" is interesting to note, in reading these communications," Mr. Parry continued, "how familiar New Zealand and its activities are to people in some foreign countries. Two letters, which I shall read, and which reached me written in . fairly good English, exemplify the inquiries made by many of these persons. All seem to start off by saying what a wonderful country New Zealand must be.

"One letter reads: 'The landscape is picturesque, the soil good and well looked after, the people have plenty to eat and should never know what it is to be in want of a meal; New Zealand, from what I have read, and heard, of it, is the country in which I should like to spend the remainder of my days.

"But the writer of another letter gives an original turn to his inquiry. He says: '. . . I am a geologist of some Came, so say my compatriots, and confreres; I am knowledgeable also in soils and their treatment to the best advantage of land titlers and keepers of herds of the world's various kinds.

. . . I read there was a lot of land, which the New Zealand-born natives have to spare, to scientifically treat for cereal crops. These cultivatable areas I could take charge of to the advantage of the Crown's Dominion— show a new way of how they could be treated and still further bring. the Crown's Dominion into higher prestige and importance to the eyes and knowledge of the world at large. ... I am further . scientifically expert' in the location of minerals and ores of all kinds. I read and I have heard that New. Zealand has much auriferous country which is beckoning geological survey. I could also undertake this duty with advantage to the Crown's Dominion and probably to myself. Please send me- full particulars and any treatises you may have for free circulation to new citizens. . . .'"

Mr. Parry said there was significant omission in many of the letters of mention of international squabbles and unrest. The addresses orr the letters easily explained the omission. "It is evident," the Minister added, '•'we in New Zealand could very quickly have a very cosmopolitan population,"