BUSHMEN SCARCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 October 1939, Page 3

BUSHMEN SCARCE

EFFECT OF ENLISTMENTS. Evidence of the patriotism and lihting spirit of New Zealand bushmen was given by the secretary of the Auckland Timber Workers’ Union, Mr F. Craig, when discussing the position in the timber industry in the Auckland province at the present time with a "Star” reporter. Mr Craig said that if there were any unemployed members of his union they had not reported the fact to him: Enlistments had' taken to camp quite a number of bushmen, who were now scarce. He could see that it was going to be a difficult, job to keep bush workers from seeking service with the armed forces, and the Government would have to watch the position if timber production was to be maintained. 'Phis was exemplified by the experience at a Putaruru mill, where tt, gang of eight men had enlisted and left for camp. It had taken the union considerable time to scrape up sufficient men to replace them, and this had only been possible because one of two bushmen who had left another bush to go to Australia had been unable to secure his passport. One of these men was a. Finn, who had lived in Australia for about. 12 years but had never bothered to take out. naturalisation papers, and the other was an Australian who would not return to the Commonwealth without, his mate, the Finn. In the meantime, the pair had gone back to the bush, hut when the Finn’s passport was received they intended to cross the Tasman and enlist with the Australian forces. So far as conditions, in the industry Were concerned. Mr Craig said that factories which were cutting defence orders were working overtime. Owing to the fact that the buildings at military camps were of a. temporary nature there was at the moment a big demand for those grades of timber which were previously not saleable, and this was proving a. good thing lor the industry. The demand for main building timber lines was also us brisk las ever.

•To meet the situation which had arisen through the outbreak of war. he said, use had been made in several instances of the clause in the union's award which permitted an employer] to train a. youth to do the work normally done by an adult, at less than lhe| award rates for a period. In most i cases where a permit tor this arrange-I meat had been given, the position had I | proved satisfactory, both to the youth and tlio employe)’. The clause had ! been inserted in the award because [of the shortage of skilled operalives, laud the situation bad been aceeiiI tuated by ihe scarcity of men owing lio the war. It did not mean, however, | that an employer could make use ot I ihe clause unless there was some I very good and definite reason why he | should do so. In cases where a firm ! was agreeable to training a youth ! miner (he clause the rate of wages 'was lived by the secretary of the I union and the employer, and the period <>t employment under the arrangement I was usually from three to six months.’ I The position was then reviewed, and if the youth was able to earn the full [rale he received it for the job he was | doing.