PLENTY OF WORK.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 115, 16 May 1908, Page 4

PLENTY OF WORK.

There is an outcry in Wellington in some trades as to the scarcity of work, or rather its converse, the plethora of tradesmen unable to find employment. One carpenter, for instance, has Ventilated his disgust and disappointment at finding there was a stream of thirty applicants, himself included, for the same job recently. The reply of -Che Secretary of the Carpenters' and Joiners' Union is that business in his branch of trade is rather dull, but that employers still inquire for good men. From which it would appear that the statement of the complaining carpenter must be taken with the proverbial grain of salt. Even if there is any congestion in Wellington, it does not follow that it exists all through New Zealand. Any desire upon the part of tradesmen to hang about the large cities, and tbus crratc the very condition that they dep,lorr. should be strongly deprecated, especially when the country is crying out for the services of capable men. Take Blenheim as au instance. Building is going on in all directions, and is proceeding slowly, owing to the scarcity of labour. ,It is frequently a difficult matter to get a carpenter for a smaU

job; he is too busy on something more worth his. while elsewhere. The official report for this month is that the building trade in this town is brisk, and all workmen are fully employed. No doubt the same conditions will be found to exist in other towns, so if there is any considerable number of skilled tradesmen unemployed in Wellington the remedy is easily found. The labour is wanted all over the Dominion, even if there Is no need for it in the Capital.