THE FURNITURE TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18515, 28 March 1922, Page 7

THE FURNITURE TRADE

MR H. E. HOLLAND’S CSHAEJGBS; REPATRIATION DEPARTMENT CRITICISED. (Pm Dxitxd Pxua Aaaocianox.) WESTPORT, March 27Speaking at a labour gathering Mr H. E. Holland, M.P., criticised a recent report of the Repatriation Department, apd stated that the department was not paying' very much attention to the returned soldierafter having placed him in an occupation. Quoting from an official statement of the Federated Furniture Trade* Union (Wellington) he said that out of 36 returned soldiers who entered the Wellington furniture trade since 1918, by December last, 24 had left the trade. Of the 12 who remained in the trade three were unemployed, one was employed on half-time, five were still finishing, and only three were working aa, journeymen. The union had accorded the men every facility in the direction of a fair deal, but the department seemed to. 1« working without much plan; for While there were jioli.-diers in the trade who could not find work, returned men were being taught poli-hing. The union wanted to know what advantage it was to teach men ft trade if when their time was finished there was no work for them at the calling. Jt was further charged that some private, firms had attempted to get the labour of returned men a* cheaply as possible, and there was a demand that these firms should be made to keep their returned soldier employees at work on a minimum” rate, instead of displacing tliem at a stage when they were in need o£ a little more experience. He expressed the opinion that it would prove of wide interest if the Repatriation Department would furnish a complete list of relumed men who had entered the furniture trade in every centre, and those who were still in the trade.