AUSTRALIAN TRADESMEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 14 March 1939, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN TRADESMEN

BATCH ARRIVE BY WANGANELLA LULL IN BUILDING TRADE IN NEW SOUTH WALES Untieri Hr**** A*o»riat ion WELLINGTON, This Day. Thirty-eight men arrived by the Wanganella to engage in the building trade in New Zealand. All are from New South Wales. They are mostly carpenters and painters with a few brick* layers. The majority are single and several when interviewed said they would return to Australia if conditions In New Zealand did no 4 appeal to them. One said the response to New Zealand's call was the result of a lull in building on the other side, but he believed building would receive a stimulus in Australia within six months, and he and his companions had no doubt of getting work there in the future if they returned. Another said the wages offering in New Zealand were lower than in Australia and if wet weather cut down their hours and wages he did not think many would remain in New Zealand. The men were met by a placement officer and they were drafted to positions immediately. Some will probably go to the State housing scheme, but others expressed a wish to secure employment on larger building projects. ARRIVALS AT AUCKLAND STARTING WORK TO-MORROW AUCKLAND, This Day. Twenty-six Australians arrived by the Awatea from Sydney to work under the State housing scheme. With others arriving at Wellington by the Wanganella to-day they are the first of hundreds tradesmen being enlisted in Austral by Mr Hodgens, M.P. Over twenty men and women of various occupations also arrived by the Awatea. They are not connected with the Government enlistment. The men’s callings ranged from farming to iron and steel work. Four women included a waitress, a tailoress. a bookkeeper, and a canister maker. No difficulty is anticipated in placing skilled workers.

Except for an electrician, who is bein- sent to Wellington, all the Government men are starting work to-mor-row on local housing contracts.