THE LABOUR QUESTION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12752, 24 April 1909, Page 5

THE LABOUR QUESTION.

Hon. A. W. Hogg Interviewed

(Per United Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, April 23.

The Hon. A. W. Hogg, Minister for Labour, interviewed on his arrival in Auckland, gave an interesting statement in regard to the conditions prevailing in New Zealand from th© labour point of view. "Since. I have taken over the portfolio of Labour," declared Mr Hogg, "I consider that the conditions of the labour market havo been exceedingly satisfactory, notwithstanding the fact that we have had to contend with something of an unemployed difficulty which, to a greater or lesser e>.tcnt, prevails every winter. Very few urgent cases for relief or assistance have come under my notice, and those matters which have forced themselves on my attention I have had no difficulty in contending with. Some of the new arrivals from the Old Country, not acquainted with farming or agricultural work, find some difficulty in obtaining employment, especially men confined to a knowledge of a single trade. If under such circumstances they are willing to accept pick and shovel work the Public Works Department can generally find something for them to do on the roads of this country. At the present time," continued the Minister for Labour, "there are just 5000 men working under the Roads and Bridges Department. Although we are rapidly exhausting the votes, amounting *c nearly three-quarters of a million, lam making e^ery effort to keep men employed, especially when they are engaged advantageously lipon work of an urgent nature that will be of practical use to the settlers of this country."