UNEMPLOYMENT IN VICTORIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12086, 15 August 1917, Page 4

UNEMPLOYMENT IN VICTORIA.

MR HUGHES BLAMES UNIONS. According to a Melbourne telegram published in the Sydney "Daily Telegraph," a deputation of unemployed saw the Prime Minister last week and departed unsatisfied, after a, somewhat tempestuous interview. Jt was stated that there were between 8000 and 10,000 men and women out of work in Victoria, including many who had hitherto been employed munition making. The Prime Minister expressed surprise at: the closing of the Colonial Ammunition Works, but said they could not have it both ways—if they would not send sufficient men to fight Cries of "Shuffler" and "Economic conscription" prevented Mr Hughes from completing the sentence, but he went on saying that presently £2,800,000 would be. spent in the construction of silos, of which about £BOO.OOO would be expended in Victoria, and probably another £IOO,OOO in flour storage. He whs sorry some of the unions had not accepted,the Government's shipbuilding proposals; until they did, not one ship would bo built. Because about onethird of the unions, for reasons of their own, choose to hold up this industry, on which millions would be spent, the safety of the countrv and th e Empire was jeopardised. Employment was being demanded, yet it was impossible for any man to start any industry in the' count:- :yth a guarantee that it would continue for twenty-four hours. Shipbuilding would go on as soon as thd •unions were willing to do the work on the Government's terms. The Prime Minister was subjected to », constant fire of interruptions during the interview. Finally the members of the deputation became so insistent that Mr Hughes seized his hat and departed to attend a party meeting at Parliament House.