WORK WANTED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11093, 2 June 1914, Page 5

WORK WANTED.

DISTRESS 1 DONEDE DEPUTATIONS TO PREMIER. IMMIGRATION HOAXES. [Peh. Press Association.] DIJNEDIN, June 2. A deputation, representing the General Labourers' Union, waited on Mr Massey this morning. Ono speaker said that tho people got into tho Labour Department who should not be there. General labourers nevor had been represented on tho staff, on which there should bo a practical man from their ranks.

Another speaker said that it vas up to' general labourers to have a representative in tho Labour Bureau. Tho secretary of tho Union alleged that breaches of the labourers' award had been committed and no action taken. Mr Massey said that ho would look into the complaints regarding administration, and do his best to remedy them. The Department would be administered fairly and impartially while he was at its head. A deputation, organised by the Otago Labour Council, also waited on Mr Massey this morning. Tlie speakers represented various unions. The Hon J. T. Paul said that a very largo number of men and women were unemployed, and he urged the Government to put in handWmmediatly any work which could ho undertaken. Touching on tho question of immigration, Mr Paul said that the whole matter should bo inquired into. Rome radical change must _be made. Men and women wero coming into New Zealand as assisted immigrants, who were neither farm labourers nor domestics. • Mr Massey, in reply, said that whero there was unemployment and a genuine desire to find work he was willing to help, and was going to do so. _ Ho would com.mmiica.tQ vrith the Minister of Works and tho Minister of Railways, and ascertain how many men could be employed. Tho . Government wero in a sound position, and able to go on with public works whero required in New Zealand.

Regarding .immigration, Mr Massey said that it' thoyi could encourage immigrants to the country districts. where they would become producers, they were actually assisting the people in towns. He was surprised to learn that women were unemployed. It was much moro difficult to find employment for women than for men.