WAGES SUBSIDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 12

WAGES SUBSIDY

ADULTS IN INDUSTRY OFFER BY GOVERNMENT OVERCOMING THE SHORTAGE DETAILS NOT YET DISCLOSED [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHtTRCH, Friday Subsidies toward the wages of adults placed in industry and trained to be skilled workers are being offered by the Government, the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, announced to-day. "I am confident that the scheme will be successful in overcoming the acute shortage of skilled labour now being felt in New Zealand," said the Minister.

Because both employers and unions had not had a full opportunity of considering the scheme, Mr. Webb declined to give the details of the Government's offer. The details, he said, had been discussed with the Federation of Labour, which was communicating with the unions affected. The federation hoped to be in a position to supply him with a report based on its negotiations with unions next week. The scheme would also be given early consideration by the New Zealand Manufacturers' Association advisory councils and the Emploj'ers' Association. Very substantial subsidies were to be offered so as to place labour in industry to produce more consumable goods of tlie countrv and to train men.

"I do not think a man has to begin being trained at 15," said Mr. Webb.' "Any ordinary, man with ordinary intelligence and direction can learn to do the job. Some people might complain and say, 'They will get more than I am getting,' but this is an emergency question we hare to face. "Judging by the expressions of both organisations with which I have discussed the subsidy scheme there will be a big draw upon the labour we now have on scheme No. 13. and I am hoping it will not be very distant before we will be able to look around to see whore we can get more labour to come into New Zealand to build this wonderful young country of ours. When labour is available we want to direct it into more beneficial channels than in the past."