THE UNEMPLOYED.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18927, 16 February 1927, Page 11

THE UNEMPLOYED.

j YESTERDAY'S MEETING. | IMMIGRATION CONDEMNED. '•The only solution of tho present trouble is the curtailment of immigration until tho country's powers of absorption are great enough to stand the strain. Tho first thought at present in the mind of tho Prme Minister should bo tho unemployed and their ! unfortunate situation," said Mr E. L. ! Hills, leader of the Christchurrh nn--1 employed at a meeting held yesterday morning in Victoria square. | Trior to Mr Hills addressing the meeting, the chairman, Mr C. Hutchison, suid that 18 men had been placed in private employment yesterday. Mr Hills said that Mr Fournier had been unable to realise that his views were unacceptable to the genuine unemployed and had therefore decided to carry on on his own account. This was really the best that could have hapi>ene'd, and would have the effect of removing the undesirable element from the ranks of the genuine unemployed. Tho speaker made the suggestion that Mr Hutchison should call on the Trades Union secretaries and ascertain what was being done in tho direction of obtaining work. He did not intend to go to the Trades Hall or to local bodies to ask for relief; what waft wanted was work. A motion was carried protesting against immigration and asking for its immediate curtailment. The chairman stated that following Monday's meeting an anonymous donor had handed him the sum of £1 for unemployment relief. Ho moved that it should be placed in tho hands of the Citizens' Unemployment Committee. Mr H. Dunkley moved as-an amendment that tho money bo expended in advertising an appeal for tho establishment of a depot. Mr Hills replied that such a course was unnecessary as the Press would give them publicity—thero was no need to spend money on it. Mr Dunkley's amendment did not progress beyond the stage of being seeon dcd. In reply to a request from Mr DunkIcy that ho should be allowed to mount' the platform and correct an alleged misstatement, the chairman said that Mr Dunkley was excluded. Mr Dunkley: That is the statement 1 want to correct. Mr Hills: In regard to that alleged misstatement, it was decided yesterday that both Mr Fournier and Mr Dunkley should" take no active part in the meetings of the unemployed. Because of that it would bo ridiculous for either of them to ask to take up tho platform again until such time as they are re-elected leaders. Mr Dunkley said that he did not consider he was "fired." Mr Fournier and himself were voted out the previous day but prior to this being dono tho speaker had seen Mr Hills and been told that in view of a controversy between Mr Fournier and himself it would bo better if he (the speaker) dropped out. Mr Hills: I admit that, but the decision of the meeting was that Mr Fournier and Sir Dunkley be excluded. Mr Dunkley: When , you've finished attacking Fournier and Dunkley you might go and get some results. , Mr Hills: This meeting is not goiug to develop into a cross-fire between you and me. If I can't get better results I shan't, at any rate, antagonise public opinion. Another meeting will be held this morning. New Registrations. Sixteen new registrations were made yesterday at the Government Labour Bureau, of which 8 represented Mingle men, and 8 married men; Ten men were placed in private employment. For the week ended on Monday last, 285 registrations wero received, as compared with 262 the previous week, an increase of 23. . Of these, 104 were new applications, ad against 131 the previous-week. The figures include 169 married 'men and 116 single men. Last week employment \ra» found for 25 men.