UNEMPLOYMENT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 24 January 1927, Page 9

UNEMPLOYMENT

POSITION IN DOMINION. ACUTE IN SOME CENTRES. THE IMMIGRATION FACTOR. (BY TELEGRAPH—PB.ESS ASSOCIATION.) WESTPQIIT, Jail. 24. During the past few days Mr H. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, lias received a communication from Dunedin and other centres stating that unemployment was acute, and asking for his co-operation in making a presentation of the facts to the Government. Mr Holland has now written, to the acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart), urging that for the purpose of coping with the problem a number of necessary public works' in various parts of the Dominion should be put in hand at once. He also suggested that, in view of the present situation, with such large numbers of men unemployed here, the Government should reconsider its immigration policy. Mr Holland points out that under the present conditions the stream of immigration must of necessity contribute towards the creation of ah army of unemployed. In another communication to the acting-Prime Minister, Mr Holland has drawn attention to the fact that there are still more than 50 men unemployed in the town of Westport; that so far nothing has been done in the way of starting public works which the Government has long since stated would be proceeded with seriously. Mr Holland points out that more than a month since, the Government made definite promises that the harbour walls would be commenced immediately. He points out that all married men among the local unemployed could be absorbed on harbour works alone if the Government promises were adhered to. He further urges that at least 30 men could be placed on the coast road and 200 on the Westport-Inangahua section of the Duller Gorge railway.