LABOUR IN COUNTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22344, 15 February 1936, Page 14

LABOUR IN COUNTRY

A SERIOUS SHORTAGE COUNTY COUNCIL WORKS [Bt TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WHANGAREI, Friday " A serious and undesirable position is developing, as while there is a definite shortage of work in the towns, I cannot remember any time since the war when there lias been such a shortage of labour in the country," said Mr. J. A. S. Mackay, chairman of the Whangarei County Council to-day, when a deputation of the Whangarei Unemployed Workers' Association asked whether the council could provide any additional work for the unemployed. Mr. Mackay said that if the unemployed continued to congregate in the towns, both the country and the towns would suffer eventually.

The deputation said its members would be prepared to go five or six miles into the country each day. Mr. T. N. Blake, Mangakahia Riding, said he could provide plenty of work in repairing roads, but the men would have to camp on the spot. Mr. F. Elliott: 1 believe from experience that unemployed labour is unsatisfactory, unless under expert supervision. I would strongly favour piece work if the men are prepared to go into the country. Other members stated that they had plenty of work to offer in repairing flood damage. The matter was left with the chairman and the staff to ascertain whether any suitable arrangement could be made with the Unemployment Board.