IMMIGRANTS AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 201, 26 August 1930, Page 6

IMMIGRANTS AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

My attention has been called to a stateincut made some time in the public Press by Mr. H. D. Thompson, officer in charge of immigration, Internal Affairs Department," to the effect that the recent immigration from overseas had not in any way affected the native-born New Zealander as far as. employment was concerned. Although my reply may bo a little belated, I respectfully, beg .to'be allowed to dispute the statement made"by Mr. Thompson. Immigration has to a considerable extent affected the employment of New Zealanders, and is still doing so.. In the Auckland transport service there are over six hundred immigrants employed. The Public Works Department also employs immigrants and foreigners in preference to New Zealanders, most of the drapers' shops here are staffed to a great' extent with immigrants, and, in fact, you cannot go into seventy-five per cent of the business places but what you will find that there are immigrants engaged, and in the majority of cases in which husband and wife are both working the couples are immigrants. This association does not blame the immigrants. They were brought here by the false propaganda of the New Zealand Government, and, being here, have the right to live, but at the same time we consider"the native born, whose parents were the pioneers of the country, should have the first consideration. Many of our young women who were employed before the immigration of girls from overseas have been discharged ifco make room for an immigrant, and a large number are on the point of starvation and despair. Therefore, how does Mr. Thompson come to the conclusion that the immigration policy of the two last Governments has not affected the employment of New Zealanders ? Immigrants have been and are given the preference of employment in 75 per cent of positions offering, and ! suppose will continue to replaoe. the natirc born until we New Zealanders wake up to the fact that the. employment of immigrants must cease while there are native born, capable and willing to fill the positions offered. I can quote cases in which married women are working during the day at good salaries, and then working at picture shows at night, the husband also being in employment.

• C. E. COLLINS, Secretary, Tlie New Zealanders' Association.