FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21937, 22 October 1934, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO

UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM COUNTRY* WORK POSITION DRIFT TO THE TOWNS The unemplo;iTlient problem of New Zealand 50 years ago, as revealed by the Herald of October 22, ISB4, provides an interesting contrast with present-day conditions. The following are extracts: — "While on the one hand Mr. G. W. Garrard and other labour leaders main, tain that there is a glut m the labour market, and numbers of working men are unable to earn a decent living for their families, on the other hand wo hear equally strong complaints from employers of labour at the difficulty, experienced in getting work attended to. Complaints are frequently made that settlers in the country districts caunot get labour at a rate of wages which they can afford to pay. There is far too much crowding into town, and we are informed that this arises from the fact that only unmarried men are wanted in the country; that unmarried, men prefer the more lightsome life of the town; that married men with families cannot move into the country. We are informed that there is a considerable scarcity work among a class little able to bear the deprivation of a weekly wage. How. ever, a meeting of the unemployed has been called siy that perhaps we shall soon have more light on the subject." In the same issue the following also appeared:—"A memorandum from the immigration officer at Christchurch, relative to the number of unemployed j who have applied for work, was laid bej fore Parliament to-day. It is dated ! October 11 and gives the total number | of applicants since May 9 last as 558."