QUEST FOR LABOUR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 67, 16 February 1939, Page 11

QUEST FOR LABOUR

MEMBER FOR PALMERSTON. VISIT TO AUSTRALIA. Mr J. Hodgens, M.P. for Palmerston North, has been selected by a special Cabinet committee to visit Austra- , lia in order to make contact with Aus- , tralian artisans as a result of the ! shortage of skilled labour in tlio build- ] ing trade in New Zealand. Mr Hodgens stated last evening that it was appreciated by the Cabinet committee that if the Government’s desire to erect 5000 houses a year is to bo realised it will be necessary- for skilled artisans from other countries to bo imported and bo will spend at least three weeks, accompanied by a private secretary, working the coast between Sydney and Melbourne in search of a proportion of the 2700 artisans necessary to reach the Government’s objective. Mr Hodgens, who leaves to-night, has been in AVellington at the request of the Prime Minister and the special Cabinet committee since Tuesday- morning, and was selected to visit Australia on account of his extensive experience in building matters. Consideration was given at the meeting of the necessary machinery which will ensure getting the right- type of men fluid, according to Mr Hodgens. the Prime Minister realises the urgency of the situation and desires action in the matter. AVhilo in Australia Mr Hodgens’s headquarters will lie at the office of the New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Sydney (Mr Taylor), and he will later visit Perth because of the dearth of work for those in the building trade there. Resides carpenters, Mr Hodgens will endeavour to obtain the services of artisans connected with trades allied with building such as plasterers, plumbers, bricklayers, etc.