ASSISTED IMMIGRATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 77, 1 April 1913, Page 11

ASSISTED IMMIGRATION.

A LABOUR PROTEST. THE PREMTER SURPRISED. , (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON-. Monday. Disapproval of the Government's immigration policy was communicated to tie Prime Minister by a deputation from the shearers' conference to-day. Mr. Mcc said the opinion of the conference was that there were enough men in the country to do all the work, and that immigration was only designed by the employers to burst up organised labour. The deputation also urged that the Government should acquire good land near the smaller centres to let to workers, in areas of 10, 15, or 20 acres, on the leasehold tenure. - The Prime Minister replied that he was surprised to hear that there were any unemployed at present. He had been ou a tour of the South Island, and everywhere he went the point was raised that there was a difficulty in obtaining farm Libpur. Many people told him they would have to curtail their cropping operations on account of the scarcity of farm labour. He did not think it was conect to say that there was any scarcity of employment at present. He had the test of reasons for believing that every nan willing to work could get employment. The Government assisted only domestic servants and farm labourers, and to a smaller extent, men who intended to become small settlers. An impression had got about that "the Government was going to bring out 25,000 people every year. That was absolute nonsense from beginning to end. He believed theie was employment for half-a-dozen immigrants for every one who came. Mr. -assey said he was in sympathy with the proposal regarding workers' homes, aid added that he had given instructions \o his officers to purchase an area of lani in the South Island for the purpose. He insisted on giving workers who took up workers' homes the right of acquirir-l the freehold. j