SHORTAGE OF LABOUR CLAIMED

Southland Times, Issue 23610, 10 September 1938, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF LABOUR CLAIMED

MR WEBB MENTIONS NEED OF SKILLED MEN

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 9. “There is not a man in New Zealand today able to work and unable to get a job,” said the Minister of Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webb) during the debate on the Public Works Statement in the House of Representatives today. Mr Webb defended the Government’s policy of finding work through the Public Works Department, and stated that because of the policy of the previous administration there was a shortage of skilled labour.

“Men were denied the opportunity of learning a trade,” said Mr Webb. “We need at present at least 10,000 skilled men, but they are simply not to be obtained. It is far better to have men doing some useful work than depending on sustenance and there is not a member of this House who will deny it.” Mr Webb thanked members of both sides of the House for their co-opera-tion in suggesting useful works in their districts on which unemployed men could be placed. A great deal had been done that was useful. Mr W. J. Polson (Nat., Stratford): A lot more could still be done. Mr Webb: The trouble is that while we have the money to do the jobs we have not got the men.

“Members should rise above narrowminded criticism of the Public Works Department,” said Mr Webb, “and should congratulate the Minister on the wonderful work that he has done throughout the country.”