WORK IN DOMINION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 68, 17 February 1939, Page 7

WORK IN DOMINION

AUSTRALIAN TRADESMEN.

CARPENTERS EN ROUTE

OTHEES TO FOLLOW.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

Received February' 17, 11.5 a.m SYDNEY, Feb. IT.

Union officials estimate that there are between BUO and 000 unemployed carpenters in New South Wales. The Bricklayers’ Union has 150 unemployed members, and the Plasterers’ Union about 100 unemployed.

Acting on advice that there will he plenty of work in New Zealand for some years, a number of Newcastle carpenters have already left for New Zealand, and others propose to follow. BIG SHORTAGE IN DOMINION. Per Press Association. ALCTvLAIMU, reb. 16. Questioned concerning the shortage of skilled tradesmen in New Zealand the Minister of Labour (Hon. P. C. Webb) said that if the building programme of the Government was lully implemented, anything up to ll),00U tradesmen could be employed. “We are short of at least 3000 skilled workers in the Housing Department alone,’' Air Webb said. “Everywhere people are crying out for hollies, and many cases are most pitiful. We are at least 20,000 houses short of requirements. This has been revealed by the housing survey undertaken some time ago. We want to build at least 6000 houses a year to meet normal requirements. At the rate ive are going we cannot even supply normal requuements, let alone catch up with the shortage. “In addition we have public buildings to construct to the extent of ovoi £18,000,000. That embraces schools, hospitals, departmental buildings, and post offices. Departments have sent in reports saying that the buildings included in the programme I have indicated are immediate necessities. “Obviously, the more tradesmen we employ the greater will be the demand for unskilled workers, so that if we were up to maximum requirements in skilled men, there would be a shortage of unskilled helpers. “The Government lias decided to bring in skilled men from oveiseas. It has been reported that a considerable number of skilled workers are out of employment in West Australia, and builders from that State have been making inquiries whether it _is worth while transferring tlieir plants to New Zealand and bringing labour with them. The Government is anxious to obtain artisans, and will sec what can be recruited from Australia.”

ARCHITECTS APPROVE PLAN

Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Feb. 16. To-day’s conference of the New Zealand Institute of Architects adopted the following resolution: That this council of the New Zealand Institute of Architects expresses its appreciation of the statement of the Prime Minister, as published in the Press, that lie is giving serious consideration to the advisability of ensuring tlie adequate supply of trained artisans essential to the building trade.