Government and the Unemployed.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4516, 19 November 1884, Page 4

Government and the Unemployed.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—l see by a telegram from Wellington that a deputation from the Trades and Labour Council waited on the Premier respecting the £100,000 vote for immigration, and urged the necessity of Government opening a labour exchange in each centre of population. It seems rather surprising that a Government should spend large sums in bringing to our shores labourers and artisans, and yet take no steps to keep a correct guago of the labour market. Let us compare this policy with that of the Canadian Government. A steamer arrives, say at Quebec, with passengers from all parts of Europe, who have paid their own fares. No sooner are these people nshorj than agents from the various provinces of Canada and the United States are ready to advise on such matters as getting work, obtaining land, etc. In such towns as Montreal and Toronto there are depots where the new-chums may rest, and liavo the chance of meeting employers, who regularly resort to these depots in search of labour of all kinds. It may not be generally known, but it is nevertheless a fact, that a poor man may • ride on the railways at Gqvernment expense throughout Canada when newly arrived in the country in search of work. Now, what do we see here? An Immigration Officer employed occasionally in ministering to the wants of a batch of Government immigrants, who are, of course, dispersed as speedily as possible. But who welcomes and cares for those who come from Sydney or Melbourne, or who pay their own passage from England ? If it is worth while to spend money in bringing out Government immigrants, surely it is a matter of economy to see that those in our midst are profitably employed. Besides doing a great deal of good in the direction I have indicated, a Government labour exchange would be a powerful factor in suppressing those periodical agitations of the so-called " unemployed," the meetings of which appear to be largely composed of the idle vagrants. Perhaps, Mr Editor, you v ill commend the consideration of this matter to out local Parliament.—l am, &c, Economy.