WAR'S WASTAGE

Otago Witness, Issue 3396, 16 April 1919, Page 53

WAR'S WASTAGE

EFFECT\ON PUBLIC WORKS STAFF*

(1 bom Ooa Own Cobkespondjcnt.)" 1 . WELLINGTON, April 10. An idea prevails that it is the intention of the Government to go on with a lot of extra publio works in-order to find work for returning soldiers. Indeed, mention has been made of a special schedule of work* in readiness for the coming of the men in such bodies that they might not at once find employment otherwise. The Minister of Public Works said to-' day that this was not at all hia intention, Up till the present vary few soldiers had applied to the department for employment, and he did not expect that any large number of them would apply in the future. - He could give work to a considerable number of men if they would apply through the district engineers of the department, The truth was that he was now. and had been for some time, about 3000 men short of the number that ha ought to have on the public works at this tune of the year, and he did not anticipate that even when all the men came back he would be able to get at once so many as would bring his force of roads and bridges and railways rneh up to strength. Owing to the wastage of the war the supply of man power in the dominion had been short fo» two or three years, and it was yet far from sufficient for requirements. The growth of | youths to manhood had not as it would in normal times kept pace with the 'require* ments of the community in the work of strong men owing to the loss of so irjany men In the army, nor did ho think thai the ..permanent wastage would be made ui* for some years unless it should bo made up by immigration.