MARRIED IMMIGRANTS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 776, 28 March 1910, Page 7

MARRIED IMMIGRANTS

DENIED EMPLOYMENT. ■> Bj Tolepaph-Prew Association—OoDrrlf hi '••'.'■■', London, March 25. The "Times".'. Sydney, correspondent cites instances of married immigrants to New South Wales who were denied employment because - they. were, encumbered with children,; and concludes: "Until New Sbnth Wales' farmerß'and squatters' mend their ways' it: is cruelty to send immigrants with young-children 'to Australia or married'couples.not past child-bearing." .. ;, '.'.. V- v^-: SERIOUS COMPLAINTS. Writing on February _ 7,..the Sydney corresponcknt of the '.'Times", stated:— . Public attention is'being emphatically called to the fact.that married couples with children are iuiabley. to_ - obtain steady employment on farms and'sta-. tions. It. is stated; that, cases occur where couples are dismissed directly a child, comes. The worst feature is'that the employer, is often willing to retain such a couple, but thatthe wife insists en their dismissal, refasing to hare ah encumbrance about the house. The clergy of several denominations are about to take the matter up. The "Horald" to-day (declares that the comare not merely serious- but deplorable, and aggravate the .portentous character of thj moral evil of thegeneratio/i. . Tlw journal continues:— "Stations, which are the largest employers of married labour,, pay-wages representing the current .• rate for the labour of two Consequently, , if children arrive the economic relation of the parents to the employer changes. Country employers should enable men to marry and to rear a family by providing adequate house accommodation, and land for a vegetable or fruit plot, and for keeping a few domestic animals. This is done in practically every country except Australia." It is hoped hero that absentee owners, British banks, and other financial institutions control ling Australian lands will fall into line and instruct their managers to avoid tho scandal of the present situation.