UNEMPLOYMENT IN DUNEDIN.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14984, 3 June 1914, Page 11

UNEMPLOYMENT IN DUNEDIN.

DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER. (rBK-S XS_OCI_TION T___!G___l.) DUNEDIN, June 2. A deputation organised by the Otago • Labour Council waited on Mr.Massey this morning. Tlie speakers represented various unions. The lion. J. T. Paul -said a very large number of mon and women were unemployed, and urged that tho Government should put in baud immediately any work whicjh could bo undertaken.

On the question of immigration, Mr Paul eaid the whole matter should be enquired into. Some radical change must be made.. Men and women were coming to New Zeal und as assisted immigrants who were neither farm labourers nor domestics. •

Mr Massey, in leply, said that where there was unemployment and a genuine desire to find work ho was willing to help, and was going to do so. -jo would communicate with the Minister of Public Works and Railways and ascertain how many men could be employed. The Government were in a sound position, and ablo to go on with public works whore lequired in Hew Zealand.

Regarding immigration, Mr Massey said if they could encourage immigrants to the country districts, where they would become producers, thoy were actually assisting people in towns. Ho was surprised to learn that there wero women unemployed. it was much more difficult to find employment for women than men. Later. With reference to the question of unemployment, the Prime .Minister has received telegrams from the Minister of Public Works, who says that.he gave instructions some time ago to tho District Engineer, who has been wanting men for some time past, to send unemployed to the Roxburgh railway and Catlins railway, or any works he-has in hand.

Mr Herries says the' Railway Department will probably be able to find some additional employment in the bourse of a few days, but he cannot state dd"finitely how many will oe required Men will probably bo required in connexion with the railway workshops.

Tho Prime Minister is also making enquiries with regard to the work which it is intended to put in hand at Seacliff.