LABOUR SHORTAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 47, 24 January 1936, Page 10

LABOUR SHORTAGE

DRAINAGE OF SWAMP. DELAY IN COMPLETING WORK. HAMILTON, JAN. 23. Work on the comprehensive scheme to drain the Taupiri Swamp, the area lying within the points bounded by Taupiri, Hamilton and Morrinsville, has been delayed during the last few months owing to the lack of labour. Throughout tlie summer there has been a shortage of 50 men in spite of the efforts of the Auckland and Hamilton offices of the Labour Department to induce men to take up the work. The wages received by those engaged have been satisfactory, and £lB a month has represented the individual earnings of many of them. Those in charge of the scheme are at a loss to understand why men are not forthcoming, especially in view of the official unemployment figures. Two years ago as many as 230 men were employed on the drainage of the Taupiri Swamp, but this number lias now dropped to 126. Another 50 are urgently required. Several camps are unoccupied, and others are half empty. Tlie scheme would have been nearing completion by now had the full complement been maintained. It is estimated that about two-tliirds of the scheme has been finished. The delay in completing the work means increased overhead costs and the original estimate is likely to lie considerably exceeded in consequence. Of the cost, the Taupiri Drainage and River Board has paid £IO,OOO. or one-tenth, and the Public Works Department,is finding the balance. Tlie work is being supervised by engineers of the department.