CANADIAN AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17696, 3 February 1921, Page 5

CANADIAN AFFAIRS.

SPREAD OF UNEMPLOYMENT.

CHECK ON IMMIGRATION.

GIFT WARSHIPS ARRIVE. [FBOM nrR OWS CORRESPONDENT. 1 VANCOUVER. r>-c. 25 The statement by Mr. Uoyd George that the question of unemployment in Great Britain might be solved by a mm prehensive scheme of emigration to the British Dominions met with » somewhat mixed reception in Canada, where there is already a very grave unemployment problem, consequent upon the genera! world trade depression.

A survey of British North America., from H:Uifax to Vancouver, show;, that the wave of labour idleness in rapidly assuming startling proportions, and in some of the (Eastern Canadian cities soup kitchens have had to be introduced to alleviate some of the distress that prevails, owinj to hundreds of thousands of workers being thrown into the ranks of the unemployed. Army hut* have a3s<> been requisitioned in other ri'.ies to care for the homeler.s, and food is being doled ont b%- chantab e organisations and civic committees.

From this it -will be readily understood tnat Canada does not welcome any further addition *.•> her population from ove-rseaa. In fact, only recently the Coven; merit passed an Order-in Council raising from £10 to £50 the qualification of admission for intending immigrants, this being necessitated to reduce the flood of immigration that had already set in to Canada, and to prevent an increase in the ranks of the work less in the land.

Sir James Lougheed, Minister of the Interior of Canada, when seen in Calgary. Alberta, in reference to Mr. Liovd George a scheme, said:—"We have our unemployed problem in Canada as weii as Britain, and we aro placing drastic restricUwua on immigration, our policy beine to do nothing that will make in dustrial and labour conditions wore* in this country. Immigration of British unemployed at the present time would not be a remedy U.i unemployment in Britain. but would aggravate it hen*." An enthusiastic reception greeted the officers and men when H.M.C.S, Aurora. Patriot, and Patrician, the cruiser and two destroyers presented to Canada by Great Britain, anchored at Halifax, Nov.* Scotia. With them were the two submarines, HC 14 and 15. This squadron is the nearest thing to a navy that Canada has vet owned, and whether the Canadians regard it as a gift from Britain, or consider they are relieving Bri'ain «jf{ the cost of maintaining this much of the Imperial sea force, the arrangement is generally accepted as a good one, pending the adoption of an Imperial naval policy. Announcement is made from Montreal that another important link in inter - Emp:re trade is being forged by the Canadian Government merchant marine. In addition to their service of cargo steamers to Australia from Vancouver, another line is to be established from St. John, New Brunswick, to Australia and Now Zealand via the Panama Canal. The Canadian Planter, of 80CO tons, or a sister ship of similar tonnage, will open the new service on January 29. Ships of this type have also a limited first-class passenger accommodation. The service from the Atlantic will bo maintained by larger vessels than those operating from Vancouver. The ports of call are to be Sydney and Brisbane, and Auckland and Welling ton. During the summer months the original port of departnre will probably be Montreal, the River St. Lawrence then being fully clear of iceflioes.

Canadians in no uncertain voice have made their views clear on the subject of goods from Germany. Gatherings of.exaoldiers' associations have passed solemn resolutions ' never to purchase German goods of any description, and during th* Christmas shopping Canadians showed a strong antipathy against German manufactures. It was feared that some of the German toys that pained entry to England would he found also in Canada, but, as a result of widespread inouiries, it is not known that any German toy's were displayed in the Dominion. In fact, stores showed signs prominently : " No German Toys."