EMPLOYMENT IN NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14284, 5 August 1908, Page 3

EMPLOYMENT IN NEW ZEALAND.

o , SHORTAGE OF LABOUR, ' REPLY TO WORKERS' MANIFESTO. (From Our Owx Correspondent.) . CHRISTCHURCH, August 4. The opinion of employers. does not support tho slateinents which Messrs Thorn and Bailey (president and secretary of the Canterbury Traded Council) have sent to the. English papers regarding the lack of employment in New Zealand. With reference to the boot, industry Mr Frostiek, of Skclton, Frcstick, and Co., said: "The strength of the industry is dominated, by that of ils weakest section, In this trade it is undoubtedly the female section of workers which require sstrongtliening. In my opinion, 500 or 600 experienced female workers could be absorbed in tile trade in the Dominion and given constant employment, which would provide steady and continuous work to double the number of adult males. It is not true to say that there j'g a shortage of employment, but ftdl time has not been made in tho past by the adult male workers mainly in consequence of the scarcity of female labour." The representative of a large building and contracting firm agreed that the pub-' lieation of the letter in Great Britain would have a damaging effect upon the industrial reputation of New Zealand. In his trade generally an average number of men had been kept going throughout the winter, and despite the fact that many tradesmen had flocked to the city from all parts of tho Dominion and outside countries. Very few builders' labourers wore out of work. In the depth of winter, of course, many trades experienced considerable broken time.. That occurred everywhere, but tho work was there to be done, and in about a month there should ke ample employment for all, despite the fact that many men from Home were seeking engagements here. For tlio week July 18 to 25 of 1907 his firm paid away £125 in wages, whereas during tho same period this year £234. 16s 2d was paid. Builders' labourers weie not present in excessive numbers,' and the bulk of those competent could find plenty to do. _ The Secretary of the Employers'- Association said: "Thero are a number of trades which are at present handicapped for want, of skilled labour. Speaking generally, the employers find great difficulty in obtaining labour, and many, particularly those engaged in industrial pursuits,' arc handicapped b.y want of skilled labour. It is, in my opinion, the life and soul of tho Dominion to have a properly-equipped immigration scheme. Employers do not so much complain of having to pay high wages to competent men as they do at having to pay a high wage to those who are incompetent. The labour unions, and particularly the agitator leaders, of course, like to hear the cry of shortness of employment, whether true or not." On the question of general farm labour a gentleman who has considerable experience in the matter said there is by no means a superabundance of labour available. At times the demand is quiet, but taJce the present time. There is a shortage of .general farm hands—good ploughmen, etc. During June, what is admittedly the worst month so far as work is concerned, feme of the agencies in town wcro unable to fill orders for ploughmen and general farm hands at wages varying from £1 to £1 10s per week. As many as 20 or 30 men have been wanted at times, but the agencies were unable to obtain them. So far aa this month has gone, too, there are orders for general farm hands awaiting filling. ________