UNEMPLOYMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20006, 25 January 1927, Page 10

UNEMPLOYMENT.

REQUEST TO GOVERNMENT MR H. E. HOLLAND’S STATEMENT. (Peb United Pbess Association.) WESTPORT, January 24. During the past tew days Mr H. K. Holland. leader of the Opposition, has received communications from Dunedin and other centres statmg that unemployment is acute, and asking for his co-operation in making representations to the Govern m Mr Holland has now written to the Acting-Prime Minister urging that for the purpose of coping with the problem a number of necessary. P ubl ‘ c J°^ s ™ ous parts of the Dominion be put in hand at once; also suggesting that, invew the present situation with such large numbers of unemployed here, the Government should reconsider its immigration P °Mr y ’Holland points out that, Under present conditions the stream of immigration must of necessity contribute towards the creation of an array _of une , n,p . ArtinßIn another communication to the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Holland has drawn attention to the fact that there are still mere than 50 men unemployed in the fown ot Westport, and that so far n °. th ' n S been done in the way of starting public works which the Government long since stated would be proceeded with seriously. Mr Holland points out that it is more than a month since the Government made definite promises that the harbour wall* would be commenced immediately. He points out that all married men among the local unemployed could be absorbed on harbour works alone if the Governments promises were adhered to. He further urges that at least 30 men could bo placed on the Coast road and 200 on the Westport-Inan-gahua section of the Duller Gorge Railway. POSITION AT INVERCARGILL. (Feom otjß Special Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, January 24., The unemployment question at preesnt is not causing the authorities any grave concern, but the number of idle men is certainly very disconcerting as it is considered that the preesnt period of the j;ear, when shearing, harvesting, and freezing operations are in full swing, is one that should see an almost absence o|, idleness. Uf the 35 men registered on the Labour Department’s books seeking employment the majority comprise labourers and farm hands. There are, however, some skilled men among the number, and as there is a dearth of work offering in the town the outlook is not bright. The figures for the week show a decrease on last week e wh*?n the number of unemployed was 41.