SKILLED LABOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3040, 19 June 1912, Page 7

SKILLED LABOUR.

SHORTAGE IN NEW ZEALAND. AUCKLAND, June 13.

The shortage of skilled labour in the Dominion has been engaging the close attention of the industrial associations in New Zealand. The Wellington Association recently wrote to the Minister of Labour (the Hon. G. Laurenson) suggesting that Kew Zealand should follow on the lines of Australia in the matter of inducing skilled labour to come here. In reply the Minister stated that after due consideration the Cabinet had come to the conclusion that it could not see its way to do anything in the direction asked. In view of this reply a letter was read at the meeting of the /Executive Committee of the Auckland Association stating that the Wellington Association had resolved to invite the co-operation of other associations with a view to forcing home to the Government the necessity of something being done; otherwise the Government must be convicted of hampering the industries. Mr B. Buttle advocated the scheme which he had put forward two years ago to deal with the matter. He had then suggested that the Government should communicate with the factory employers throughout the Dominion and ascertain the number of skilled labourers that were really required. He felt sure that if the Government took action the manufacturers would give an undertaking to employ the men brought out. The wisest and soundest way to choose such men was for a selection committee of .factory managers to be appointed and sent Home to select the men.

Mr George : Who will pay the expense ? Mr Buttle : The Government should certainly pay a laioyj proportion, but the manufacturers," I feel sure, would agree to pay part of the cost. The country is languishing for want of population, and industries are suffering severely. He moved that a Teply be sent to the Wellington Association suggesting that the association take action on the lines he had suggested. The motion was carried unanimously. As an outcome of the discussion it was resolved that it was desirable for the industrial associations in the Dominion to affiliate with a view to taking united action on questions of vital importance to the industries of New Zealand.