BRITISH CARPENTERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 251, 22 October 1937, Page 6

BRITISH CARPENTERS

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND WORK IN NEW ZEALAND [ Per Press Association. ] AUCKLAND, Oct. 21. Forty carpenters, between the ages of 18 and 36, arrived by the Rangitiki to work on the State housing schemes. The men responded to an advertisement in the News-Chrbnicle, London, giving a Post Office box number, which proved to be that of the agent for the Fletcher Construction Coy. in London. There were over 800 applications, but when it was ascertained that the men had to pay their own fares a large number dropped out. The men engaged were guaranteed three years’ continuous work. The present pay for carpenters is Is 9id in London and Is 6d in the provinces. The majority of the men are leaving Auckland this afternoon and this evening to work in Wellington. About six are remaining in Auckland.

AUCKLAND COMMENT OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS [ Per Press Association. 1 AUCKLAND, Oct. 21. The secretary of the Auckland Builders’ and Contractors’ Association, interviewed with reference to the carpenters from England, said that the men were quite safe in coming to New Zealand. They could get jobs without going to Wellington. A more cautious note was sounded by the secretary of the Auckland Carpenters’ Union, Mr Kennerley, who considered that the new men could not be absorbed in Auckland, where the adult apprentice scheme was recently put into operation and about thirty young men entered the building work. Any big influx of workmen had to be regarded with some concern. The Government housing scheme was not in itself sufficient so provide work.