PREMIER’S STATEMENT.

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

PREMIER’S STATEMENT.

SELECTION OF SKILLED MEN. WELLINGTON, Feb. IC. The intention of the Government to send a representative to Australia to select building tradesmen for employment in New Zealand was mentioned by the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), last evening. By obtaining skilled men from Australia, and probably- from the United Kingdom and Canada as well, it is hoped to accelerate housing construction throughout the Dominion. The Government, said Mr Savage, was in touch with Australia and trying to make arrangements _ for skilled tradesmen in the building trade to come to New Zealand. “The Government has information .that tradesmen are available in Australia,” said Mr Savage, “and a representative will lie sent there to select suitable men. We are also getting in touch with the United. Kingdom and Canada but, of course, it is not so easy- to send someone to those countries to select men. “Time is the essence of the contract, and we have to move as rapidly as possible. Thousands of people who want homes are unable to get them, and though the State housing scheme is going forward steadilv in manv towns the output of dwellings is_ still far short of the demand. It is impossible to make greater progress in construction because _ of shortage of carpenters and joiners. We must face up to the needs of tbe people in respect of housing and obtain skilled men from overseas in order to accelerate building.”