WORK WANTED.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16567, 3 June 1914, Page 2

WORK WANTED.

DISTRESS IN DUNEDIN. DEPUTATIONS TO PRIME MINISTER. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, June 2. A deputation, representing tho Gcnj oral Labourers' Union, waited on Mr ! Massey this morning. One .speaker said that people got into the Labour Department who should not be there. General labourers never had been represented on tho staff, on which there should be a practical man from their ranks. • Another speaker said that it was up to general labourers to have a representative in the Labour Bureau. The secretary of the Union alleged that breaches of the labourers' award had been committed and no action takeu. Mr Massey said that ho would look into the-complaints regarding administration, and do his best to remedy them. Tiie Department would be administered fairly and impartially while ho was at its head. A deputation, organised by the Otago Labour Council, also waited on Mr Massey this morning. Tho speakers represented various unions. The Hon J. T. Paul said that a very large number of men and women wero unemployed, and he urged the Government to put in hand immediatly any work which could be undertaken. Touching on the question of immigration, Mr Paul said that tho whole matter should be inquired into. Some radical change must be made. Men and women were coming into New Zealand as assisted immigrants, who wero neither farm labourers nor domestics.

! Mr Massey, in reply, said that where there was unemployment and a genuine desire to find work ho was willing to help, and was going to do so. Ho would communicate with the Minister of Works and the Minister of Railways, and ascertain how many men could bo employed. The Government was in a _ sound position, and able to go on with public works whero required in New Zealand. Regarding immigration, Mr Massey Raid that if they could encourage immigrants to the country districts, where they would becomo producers, they were actually assisting the people in towns. Ho was surprised to learn that women were unemployed. It was much more difficult to find employment for women than for men. WORK TO BE PROVIDED. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, June 2. With reference to tho unemployed the Prime Minister has received a telegram front the Minister of Public Works, who says that he gave instructions some days ago to tho District Engineer, who has been wanting men for some timo past, to send unemployed to Roxburgh railway and Catlins railway or any work ho has in hand. I Mr' Hemes says that the Railway Department will probably bo able to find some additional employment in the course of a few days, but ho cannot state definitely how many will bo required. Men will probably be required in connection with tho railway work-i shops. j The Prime Minister is also making inquiries with regard to work which it is intended to pub in hand at Seacliff. I