SKILLED LABOUR SHORTAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23706, 13 January 1939, Page 10

SKILLED LABOUR SHORTAGE

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—l feel constrained to join with “A Worker" in your issue of Tuesday. In the days gone by it was.ihe recognised policy of trade unions to restrict the number of apprentices in any industry as far as possible, no doubt with the idea that by this means they could make the services of _ journeymen of more value by reducing the supply. When the matter was under discussion the maximum the unions would agree to was generally one apprentice to four journeymen, with possibly “one for the house." Many of us felt that this was courting disaster* for such a proportion would not supply the reduction inevitable from death or change of occupation, but protests were of no avail, so there is now a serious shortage in most skilled avocations. It is, therefore idle for Mr Webb to accuse anybody but the union bosses. Another matter in some of Mr Webb’s recent utterances we can all cordially agree with. A fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay and cooperation in industry by workers and employers are, achievements with which every reasonable person milst be in full accord, but Mr Webb must be aware that neither is capable of attainment while strikes for trivial reasons are condoned and almost encouraged, and, despite higher wages and easier conditions, men are doing less work than before the institution of the 40-hour week. Let us hope that the Minister will act on the principles he has enunciated and not be content with word* alone.—I am, etc.. Old-timer.