THE LABOUR MARKET.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14977, 24 April 1909, Page 11

THE LABOUR MARKET.

INTERVIEW WITH THE HON A. W

HOGG. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, April 23. The Hon A W. Hogg, Minister of Labour, interviewed on iiis arrival in Auckland, gave an interesting statement in regard to the conditions prevailing in New Zealand from a labour point of view. " Since I have taken over the portfolio of Labour," declared Mr Hogg, " I consider that the conditions of the labour market have been exceedingly satisfactory, notwithstanding the fact' that we have had to contend with something of an unemployed difficulty, which, to a greater or lesser extent, prevails every winter. Some of the new arrivals from the Old Country not acquainted with farming or agricultural work find some difficulty in obtaining employment, especially men confined to a knowledge of a single trade. If under such circumstances they are willing to accept pick and shovel work the Public Works Department can generally find something for them to do."

" Oh the roads of this country at the present time," continued the Minister of Labour, "there are just 5000 men working under the Reads and Bridges Department. Although wo are rapidly exhausting the votes, amounting to nearly three-quarters of a million, I am making every effort to keep men employed, especially when they are engaged advantageously upon work of an urgent nature, that will be of practical use to the settlers of this country."

Speaking of the outcry which has recently been raised against the tide of immigration, Mr Hogg said that the Department was doing its best, with the assistance of the immigration representatives in Great Britain, to remove the impression which seems to prevail at Home amongst the workers that all they have to do is to come to New Zealand and they will find immediate remunerative employment. An unfortunate thing is that . work is becoming so scarce in Great Britain, that a great many of even the better class of workers are apt to throw up employment and make their way to. New Zealand or Australia. Of course, the Department of Labour has no control over nomadic people of this description, and as long as the men and women arriving are healthy and strong there is no good reason why New Zealand should close its gates against them. While many of these new arrivals have at first to be somewhat disillusioned, and perhaps suffer, yet in almost every instance, if they only possess a little grit, they succeed in establishing themselves, and do very well for those depending upon them. "' With regard to the Trades Unions in our cities," Mr Hogg went on, "as Minister of Labour I have had very few complaints from any of them. In fact. I have had very few complaints indeed, either from employers or employees. I believe that relation! have never been moro harmonious than, at present. ' As the result of recent legislation. I consider that a bond of sympathy has arisen, which will be strengthened as a still better understanding is arrived at. Only in very raro instances has the intervention of the Arbitration Court or Magistrate's Court been found necessary, and where misunderstandings have sprung up comparatively little trouble has been experienced in smoothing them over."