N.Z. UNEMPLOYED

Grey River Argus, 13 October 1926, Page 5

N.Z. UNEMPLOYED

MINISTER’S BLUFF.

Called at Auckland.

AUCKLAND, October 12.

The Auckland Citizens’ Unemployment Committee met this morning to confer with tlie Ministers of Labour and Lands to discuss the situation, but the latter had not arrived from the South. The proceedings opened with a bit of a breeze. The Hon. G. J. Anderson said to Mr- Phelan: “You r letter stat ed that unemployment was still acute. That is open to question. I tell you distinctly that so far as employment is concerned it had been dealt with admirably right through New Zealand.”

Rev Jasper Calder: “You are the only one who thinks so.” Mr. Anderson: “We have'met the position exceedingly well. I know what is going on jus t now, as welt as a good many of you do. We all know it, and we know the connection. Only yesterday I. had evidence of what is gov ng on, but I am quite willing to discuss any plans you may have.”

Mr. Oakley Brown said that the were present because they had done everything they could do. The Department had asked them to state whether unemployment was affected by immigration and certain other matters. That was why they were present to place their views before the Minister.

Mr. Anderson: “Well, I am very pleased to see you.” Rev. J. Calder asked the Ministe: to be more explicit in the matter of the insinuations he had made. If the .Minister were satisfied With what the Government had done he was the only one that was satsfied. They had some suggestions to make, and, provided the Government Departments coull link up something could come of them.

Mr. Wallace, Chairman of the Hospital Board, said he could assure the Minister that the position was still acute in Auckland. The meeting adjourned to await the arrival of the Minister of Lands. MINISTERS’ ATTITUDE. A LOW-WAGE OUTLOOK. AUCKLAND, Oct. 12. At the unemployment conference with the Cabinet Ministers. Hon. Mr McLeod (Minister for Lands) said that he admitted the necessity of settling the unoccupied lands, but declared that there was no unoccupied land that was going to be developed on a 40-hour or a 44-hour week and on a minimum wage. He said he would be prepared to recommend a scheme of laud settlcineiib if the cost could be charged to the consolidated revenue, but he was not going into any scheme that he and his officers knew was unsound, and have his officers “kicked from Hell to Hackney’’ afterwards for bringing forward propositions that were economically impossible. Mr Anderson (Minister of Labour) saidf “This unemployment business has been used largely for political purposes. ’ ’

NO CONFIDENCE IN MINISTER. TRADE UNION FEELING. AUCKLAND, Oct. 12. Trade union representatives today informed Mr Parry, M.P., that it was no use to wait on the Minister of Labour (Mr Anderson) in regard to unemployment, they recalling how their representative was dealt with at a recent deputation to the Minister. They had no confidence in approaching the Minister.

MORE IMMIGRANTS.

WORSEN THE SITUATION.

AUCKLAND, Oct. 12.

Considerable feeling is expressed in regard to the arrival of six hundred more immigrants as tending still further to congest the ranks of the unemployed.