HIGH WAGES FOR LABOUR

Evening Star, Issue 25472, 1 May 1945, Page 8

HIGH WAGES FOR LABOUR

SERVICEMEN ENTICED FROM TRADE TRAINING MINISTER STRESSES UNWISDOM (P.A.) WKIXJXGTUN, Apnl ISO. Stressing the inadvisability of exservicemen accepting unskilled but highly-paid positions in preference to obtaining training in trades, the Minister of Rehabilitation, Mr Skinner, said to-night that some difficulty was being experienced in obtaining sufficient candidates for training in plastering and tiling, bricklaying, and roof tiling. The Minister said that because of the labour shortages some employers were willing to pay almost any wages as long as they secured men, but the men failed to realise that as soon as the shortages were relieved or a special task completed they would be placed on reduced wages or even paid off. They would then once again have to face the difficulty of obtaining continuous employment in the face of competition even at bare award rates. Mr Skinner said the Rehabilitation Board had established at Petone a splendid graining centre, which afforded sutaible applicants a thorough training in the trades mentioned. He strongly urged all unskilled ex-servicemen suitable for these occupations to communicate with the rehabilitation officers immediately to obtain fuller information on the subject.