1.—12

XXXIV

(b.) That these advances be made to workers whose incomes are not more than £300 per annum, with an addition of £25 for each child over three in number. Trafficking. The Committee recommends that stringent regulations be drafted to prevent, as far as possible, profit-making by the sale of houses erected under this scheme, and also to provide that in the event of any sale the purchaser must be a worker whose income is within the limitation set out above. Necessity for Action. In making these recommendations, involving as they do considerable capital cost to the State, the Committee has in mind the fact that much of the present distressing industrial unrest is due to the shortage of houses.. ' It feels confident that the proper' housing of our people will do much to produce contentment, and consequently more settled industrial conditions, which will more than warrant the cost. As the increased cost of building under present conditions is directly attributable to the war, the amount involved should, be regarded as part of the cost of the war. Your Committee earnestly desires to emphasize the national necessity of this matter being promptly dealt with. The present high cost of building-material, and other difficulties connected, with building, are grounds not for delay, but for prompt action on the part of the Government. Immigration. The fact- that the virile manhood of this country has been sadly depleted as a result of the part this Dominion played in the great war is sufficient warrant for giving consideration to the question whether or not the Government should reinstate the policy of assisted immigration. More Labour required. If post-war problems are to be satisfactorily solved there must be a vigorous policy of development, and sufficient labour' will not be available even after all the soldiers return. Large numbers of able-bodied workers are required for the expeditious prosecution of hydro-electric, railway, reading, irrigation, and other schemes. If labour for this purpose is to be supplemented.from abroad it must be from the United Kingdom. The post-war social and economic conditions abroad are likely to be greatly improved as compared with pre-war days, and this may operate against emigration, while with millions killed and maimed there will be a great demand for labour to repair the ravages of war in Europe. It is, however, likely that the migratory spirit will be strong among the soldier's, many of whom are known to be contemplating emigrating to the overseas dominions. The men referred to would constitute the most virile of the population, and would be of special value for developmental works. The Committee does not recommend a policy of indiscriminate assisted immigration, or' the adoption of any course calculated to produce a surplus of any class of labour leading to unemployment or reduction of wages. What, however, is specially wanted at this juncture is sufficient labour' to carry out the developmental work above referred to. There need be no apprehension as to disorganization of the labour-market on the completion of such undertakings, for those cannot in any case be all completed at the same time; and if a forward policy such as is outlined in this report is put into operation the work upon which labour will be employed will itself open up many new avenues of employment. New railways will mean additional land-settlement. Hydro-electric schemes will develop our industries and bring new ones into existence. Our tariff adjustments should materially assist in the same direction. These things mean increased production, with increased prosperity and opportunity for employment.