UNEMPLOYMENT AND IMMIGRANTS.

Evening Star, Issue 19270, 8 June 1926, Page 5

UNEMPLOYMENT AND IMMIGRANTS.

TO THM EDITOR. Sir, —Suggestions having been made that a great deal of unemployment is caused ny immigrants, I, as one of those, should like to express my views. It is a big undertaking to come out here, to dispose of our nomes, leaving our relatives and friends behind, and go to the expense and trouble to come all these miles, only to find we are not wanted- There is little chance of getting back again, so we have to make the best of it, for better or worse, once wo get here. No country, however favorable, can get on without people. Compare the populations of Now Zealand and Britain. We have over throe times ns many in London alone. You are getting the best of the people of Britain out here, and if discouraging reports continue in your papers they will find their way to Home papers, and tend to turn people to America, where thousands are making for, owing to the “almighty dollar’’ and pictures propaganda. 1' fail to see how nominated immigrants with work found them before leaving Britain should increase unemployment out here. In a new country like this there is work for single people able to get about away from the towns if they only want it enough. There is a great deal of work out here for real workers if it is looked for. There is no excuse. Why blame the immigrants for it? Wages in New Zealand and living costs do not compare very well with those of other colonies, but, considering all things, this country is the best of the bunch. That is my reason for coming, and for my children’s sake. There is in Britain ft very high opinion of New Zealand—its conditions, climate, scenery, and its people —and "I think the success of the recent loan in London will hear out my statement. Nothing should he done to alter that good spirit, and, instead of trying to put the damper on new arrivals, they should be welcomed. The more people come out the greater is the volume of supply and demand and increase , of trade generally and housing requirements, so long as care is taken to keep a steady flow to thus country. As an ex-soldier of fifteen years’ sendee in various parts of the world and throughout the war, I can speak from experience that this country is certainly worth all the inconvenience wo are put to in getting here; and I think Britishers should keep rvithin the Empire, and, above all, trade within the Empire and foster the patriotic spirit. I think the recent Exhibition in Dunedin would have been an eye-opener to many folks at Homo could they have seen jt. The enterprise and development of New Zealand are not fully realised by many there.

With regard to physical fitness of the new arrivals out here, I can safely_say ( there is not much chance for weaklings to get past the strict examination. The doctors are appointed by the High Commissioner.—l am, etc., B. E. Km, Dunedin, June 8.