CORINTHIC IMMIGRANTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 111, 6 November 1908, Page 7

CORINTHIC IMMIGRANTS.

THEIR QUEST FOR WORK. Of the large number of immigrants who arrived by the Corinthic from London on Wednesday some sixty have called at the Labour Bureau. Of these twelve iarm hands have bean found employment, also five labourers. The carpenters and joiners, coachbuilders, wheelwrights, bakers, and watchmakers who came out in the Corinthic and are looking for work. Of the sixty Corinthic work-seekers above referred to thirty of them called to get all the information obtainable of the prospects of work in other centres, and they intend leaving Wellington. The Labour Bureau is still unable to setisfy demands of farmers for men to milk and make themselves generally useful. There are from thirty to forty vacancies ready for suitable men. Mr. M'Keown, who is in charge of the bureau, complained to a Post leporter to-day of the fickleness of many of the men'who come looking for work. They promise to take jobs in the country, and the farmer is advised that they are on the way; but the men do not fulfil their engagement. Mr. M'Keown cited the case of a Manawatu farmer to whom five men had been sent at different times, and four of them never arrived at the station. The farmer had to drive sevcrnl miles in to the station to meet his expected helpera. • ' The wages offered for farm hands is from £1 to £1 5s per week, with board 5 and extra good men are getting £1 7s 6d to £1 10s. Even these wages do not tempt some of them. Five and twenty shillings a week and all found was offered to an immigrant a day or so ago ; but he refused to do farm work for less than £1 15s to £2 a week. Mr. M'Keown pointed out to the new chum that £1 5s was the rate offered to good men. The immigrant would not look at the job at any price, and, turning on hiß heel* left the office*