UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19558, 10 February 1927, Page 12

UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM.

VIEWS OF BUSINESS MEN.

INVESTIGATION COMMENCED.

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce is giving serious consideration to unemployment. .After a discussion in which very diverse views were expressed, the council of the chamber, at its monthly meeting, set up a special committee to go into the question as fully as possible and draw up definite proposals which-'the chamber might submit to the Government,

The discussion showed that in the opinion of several members, the situation was r?ally graver than the actual x'olume of unemployment appeared to show, and it was stated that many business concerns were keeping upon their payrolls employees of long standing whom they could' not keep fully occupied in the present condition of trade.

Mr. A. 6. Lunn suggested that permanent machinery should be set up to regulate immigration according to the prospects awaiting immigrants is the near future. This might be done by setting up a board of competent persons to estimate the Dominion's labour requirements some distance ahead. The board should keep in constant touch with the High Commissioner by cable. One thing to avoid would be the landing of immigrants at the beginning of winter. Mr. J. A. C. Alluro declared that one necessary measure was to encourage local industries, It was most regrettable that the .Government had given ■ preference - to imported-* materials .in 'the railway workshop contracts by announcing that duties would be remitted. Mr- W. J. Holds worth said some local industries, such as woollen manufacturing, were over-capitalised. A fundamental trouble was the 'excessive price of farmins land. . He suggested that the Government should iatiiich a progressive policy of road-building,, with the object of opening the country and absorbing labour sow. tiiiexnpktged. Mr. H. P. R. Caughav considered the trouble really originated*., outside New Zealand, and that • with better prices for the. Dominion's exports the prospects were brighter than they had been. A committee consisting of Messrs. W. J." Hol&worth, vA. A. Boss, J. A. C. AJlam, S Ley land, H P. R. Caughey and A. G. set up to make a fall report to the nest monthly meeting.