EMIGRATION QUESTION.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14523, 27 November 1912, Page 3

EMIGRATION QUESTION.

EVIDENCE FOR THE TRADE COMMISSION. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRES-.") WELLINGTON, November 26. The Imperial Trado Commission, which is to visit New Zealand in March, is devoting special attention to tho question of emigration, and a good deal of evidence upon this subject will probably be given in New Zealand. Referring to a report that the United Labour Party is collecting evidence to show why immigration should not bo continued, and that some lias already been sent in to the Empire Trade Commission, the "Farmers' Union Advocate" says:—"Tho farmers who know that labour is extremely scarco and tliat active progress in agricultural farming is being restricted, must therefore bo prepared when the Commission sits in New Zealand, to offer such evidence as is necessary to prove thencase. Ye are glad to see that tho Government's policy, as announced by the Pr:me Minister, is to continue immigration, and that tbe selection of immigrants will be more carefully done than hitherto. Ladies -who know how difficult it is to get help should, through some organisation, give evidence. In fact, it would be well if those who havo experienced tho almost impossibility of securing or retaining domestic servants or farm workers, would set out in brief form a, statement of their difficulties, and send it to tlie local branch the Farmers' Union, with a request that it be sent on to the Provincial Executive, By this means the Executive would be in a position to counteract tho evidence of a party whose chief desire is to create a corner in labour and raise tlie price so far as the farmer is concerned. It is not so much a question of tho price he has to pay, as to be sure that ho can procure efficient labour, and it is only by an intelligent system of immigration that tho need can bo supplied. It will be impossible on the part of the Labour Party to prove that there are sufficient workers for the needs of tho Dominion, but as the evidence given before- tho Commission is likely to be widely circulated in the Homeland, from where we ho no to draw our future supplies, the opportunity should bo taken to clearly demonstrate other requirements by evidence from the employers of farm workers and domestics."

SHORTAGE OF LABOUR

A DUNEDIN CIRCULAR. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.'') DUNEDIN, November 26. As the outcome of communications received from the country and from various manufacturing firms, stating that tlio shortage of labour is injuriously affecting all branches of industry and preventing the development of the different industries, the Expansion League has issued a circular to farmers, coalmine owners, most of the leading city firms, and the Government departments, asking for information on certain points regarding their particular industry. Up to the present only somo 20 per cent, have returned answers, but these distinctly show that thero is, without a doubt, a most acuto shortage of labour, both in the towns and in the country.