THE LABOUR MARKET.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12461, 10 February 1909, Page 2

THE LABOUR MARKET.

7 THE PROSPECTS ARE HAD.

MISREPRESENTATIONS BY SHIPPING AGENTS. [United Press Association.] Wellington-, Feb. 9. Tho Trades, and. Labcur Council to-night waited oh the Hon. G. Fowlds. the Minister for Immigration toprotett against the continuance of the present system Of assisted immigration. It was pointed out that unemployment was general" throughout the Dominion,- and the prospects, for : , ibe . coining winter were' bad, hence the • arrival of- people from abroad wag. an embarrassment to tho workers and the country generally. The Hon. G. Fowlds, in reply, said a country with New -Zealand's possibilities should be able to absorb a fair number of people under normal conditions. -It- was wrong for tne Government; to add to bo overstocked labour market, however, by paying for assisted immigration, and where it was evident this was the result, ifc would be ended. The , demand for domestic servants was great and unsatisfactory. Some time ago the High .Commissioner was instructed that-only domestic servants and - agricultural labourers should be assisted. Of the immigrants arriving only about onethird were assisted. Last yea*, out of 6529 arrivals, only 1997 were approved by the High Commissioner, and 1103 obtained assisted passages on the nominations of frieri'da in the Dominion. Certain .shipping agents bad been making statements' which were unwarranted, snditwas "difficult W know how thia was to be" dealt "with. It might, however' be i possible for the Government to minimise tbe misrepresentations of- some of the sbipping agents. Anything that could be done to stop adding to aa overstocked labour market would Jbe done. The Government, however, could not advertise all over the United Kindom tbat there was no room in New Zealand, and it was not wise for an individual, or any Dation, to cry stinking fish in that way. Tho High Commissioner would give a clear statement of the different industries as revealed by the figures of the Labour Depot. Regarding the cutting" up of land for settlers, the Minister said tbe Government was > ddingas muoh as possible, and ne pointed but that there was plenty - of . good .land in Auckland to be had for the. asking.