THE ASSISTED IMMIGRATION AGITATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 276, 14 August 1908, Page 8

THE ASSISTED IMMIGRATION AGITATION.

Sir,—ls it true, as stated by the Trades and Labour Council of Christclmrch, that a conspiracy exists among certain classcs of interested persons to force tho hand of tho Government to flood the Labour markets of tho Colony? If not, an unnecessary.amount of "buldosing" of the public mind, and browbeating of tho Government seems to bo going on to get a grant of public money for immigration. Impartiality is put beside the question when the lopsided views of tho nonworking classes are put forward in regard to the above._ The question, does a scarcity of labour exist? is put to a money-lender, who makes fortunes out of the financial enbarrassments of people, and tlio answer is, certainly; or to a cornerer of sections or houses, and his answer is, most certainly. Again, to an employor of labour, and ho answers yes.

The employer, be it noted, is an individual who is a seller of all commodities but labour. He does not sell labour as labour. The goods he sells, bo it butter or houses, sections or timber or meat, or transport rates, ho wants dear, as dear as a State coddling assistanco can make it. But ho turns around to labour, and his consistency or honesty drops hero; and says, "Labour as a commodity should be cheap," or else, "Wo do want more labour and State help to get it." By inference wo can honestly draw thcro is injury wrought to tho owners of a commodity by tho lowering of its value, when that : commodity takes tho form of any other goods on the market than labour, but'when tho commodity lowered in valuo by over-supply is labour commodity' or human lives, then we infer from tho invariablo answer of'certain employers given thcro is no injury, and only possible good can take placo from over-supply. Now, if the Press wish really to get tho opinion of tho averago employer 011 this question or the former, tho real opinion, let its reporter present himself or herself to employers in the guiso of an applicant for employment at tho current rato of wages, and the reply will almost invariably be —110 trouble to get all tho regular hands wanted. Frankly speaking, tho wholo agitation for Stato-assistod immigration is a long way removed from reproach and just suspicion.— I am, otc., T.A.E. August 8.

Society in Paris is much moro cosmopolitan, gayer, and moro grateful for entertainment than in London. Social gatherings everywhere are generally relieved from dullnoss by a leaven of wit and intellect which tho prominent role men of letters and artists play in Paris society onsures.—"Onlooker." Tho greatest mistako that Commerce has over mado has been her forgetfulness of tho fact that tho eyo gives readier acccss to tho exchequer than tho ear. Tho most powerful appeal to tho purchaser must be addressed primarily to his souse of beauty.— "Magazine of Commerce''