THE PREMIER AND THE UNEMPLOYED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12243, 17 June 1909, Page 5

THE PREMIER AND THE UNEMPLOYED.

■ (I'er J'ress Association.) j WELLINGTON, June IG. ■ Replying to an unemployed deputation, the Premier said the suggestion had been made in the telegram he had leceived from the Mayor of Christchurch that the-Government should contribute a subsidy of £1 for £1, and that the relief shouli be dispensed by the charitable Aid Board. "I am not prepared," he said, "to commence a system of that kind at,this juncture of the affairs of New Zealand... It would not be even a temporary remedy for the condition of aitairs that exists. . With the appropriation authorised by the House for pubhe works the Government would be able to find employment on reproductive public works for a considerable number." As to immigration, he denied that the Government had at any time given instructions for an immigration scheme to be carried on. Small farmers and domestic servants had been assisted, but the High Commissioner was told not to pass any class outside those. He had mentioned that some of the people who were coming to New Zealand did not get the benefit of reduced fares, and were neither directly nor indirectly as--sisted. He pointed out that the steamship companies induced immigration for business reasons, and lie also emphasised the fact that if the traffic were interfered with there would naturally be a lessening of trade to our exports, and that the volume of work on the wharves would be reduced in consequence. The shipping companies could not be interfered with. The Government, would do its best to meet the accentuated position. He anticipated that the appropriations made by the House v would mean employment during the winter -on reproductive works for an additional 1000 men. (Hear, hear.) He was prepared to give the necessary authority to have that.done. He referred to Jh c difficulty that arose through the disinclination of some men (with families) in the towns to go into the countS: i• * only hel Ped to increase the difficulties which beset,the position. At the present time the Government had 900 mcii employed on reproductive worfo. Tho High Commissioner had done I'verythmg he could to prevent the cucuiu,uuji. i.L Home of misleading iii■tormat'pn o< ueerning Now 'Zealand. Sir Joseph, concluded by saying his sympathies were with, the unemployed, and he would dp everything he could to meet the case,. As to the statement that labour conditions here were no better than they were in England, it had been authoritatively stated • over and over again that there were several millions of people out of Avork at Home. In reply to, a suggestion by Mr Dayey, bir Joseph' promised to try and arrange that :some expert bushmen should be engaged on the areas which the Government proposedtodeal with, so that the uninitiated would have a chance of learning,the-"art." An officer had been despatched yesterday to one of the'areas to make .all the necessary: arrangements.