ADULT LABOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1939, Page 6

ADULT LABOUR

ABSORPTION INTO INDUSTRY.

MINISTER FOR LABOUR’S PLAN.

(Per Press Association.—Copyright).

CHRISTCHURCH, May 1

A sehemo 'for the absorption -irr factories of many adult workers now engaged in Scheme No. 13 works and public works is engaging the full attention of the Hon. P. C. Webb (Minister for Labour).. The details have yet to be ; discussed between the Minister, the Manufacturers’ Association and the Federation of Labour; but Mr Webb is optimistic that general approval scheme will he given.,, V -’fy | Outlining his plan on Saturday/aftei--'.; noon. Mr Webb said ally adult anxious to learn a trade would be given an opportunity if the Manufacturers’ Association and the Federation of Labour, accepted the scheme. If satisfactory arrangements could be made with those bodies, the Government would he prepared to give whatever assistance it deemed advisable in helping the secondary industries to take on adult labour,and to train that labour, in order that more consumable goods might be produced in the Dominion.

| "It is .quite obvious that if the maty i ufacturing industries are to produce the; ' commodities.; needed to meet the national requirements extra labour must be ; employed—-ii\ ; .fact, .there j s a definite out the country. To import labout from other countries to do the work we .think i ought to he doiitb,by four? own people--would be a mistake. The workers must ij: be given an > opportunity and- the Gov- ! ernment proposes to face up to its re- 1 sponsibility by assisting in having our own people trained.” An Opportunity.

During ! the depression, many lam dreds of young and single men were compelled to leave their homes in the cities to go on public work s jobs in all parts of the country, said the Minister, j They had no opportunity of learning a trade and the Government believed,that that opportunity was now being, presended. By providing them with work in the factories, the production of-tilings so badly needed would be assisted, trainj ed artisans and skilled operatives Avould I be produced and the number employed on various public works throughout tffi country would be reduced.' • -g; S “I am confident that these men will niakq excellent tradesmen and will comj pare more than favourably with thos* 'that may have had to be imported iron 1 overseas if we did not move to train | our own,” said Mr Webb, j Expressing .. optimism that the earl. .. conferences with the manufacturers anc the Federation of Labour would b; fruitful Mr Webb said the scheme j would be a blessing to the young men ! who had been deprived of opportunity in the past to learn a trade, a boom to New Zealand, and a bringer of coni: fort into many homes whose young men had had to leave to obtain work awayfrom the cities.