THE UNEMPLOYED

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1927, Page 1

THE UNEMPLOYED

DEPUTATION TO -AIR COATES

[UY TELvoRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, March 30. The Prime Minister received three deputations from the unemployed today. The first was from the Trades Hah' Committee, it complained of tlie rates of wages paid to the men on the relief work and of the* efleet ot tlie Government’s immigration policy. Mr Coates said the Government could not—and did not —accept the responsibility for every unemployed man in the country. However, it did accept the responsibility lor finding work and money to tide hint over the difficult period. It was obvious that the Government could not find work for every man at the standard wages.

Referring to immigration Mr Coates said that lie. agreed that there was nothing to he gained by bringing a man to New Zealand to he unemployed. The Government had agreed to cut out immigration from the first week of May next until the end ot August. The first speaker for the second deputation was Mr H. Hardgreaves. Tie said he had been an officer in the Imperial army. He had won the D.S.O. and M.C. “ J ask you, honestly,” he said, “is it fair to import people, like myself, from the Old Country and then find no work for them? ” Mr Coates: “Can’t you try 12s a day? ”

Mr flardgreavos: “1 can’t keep (?<»• ing on 125."

Mr Coates: “ Would you not he latter off sit 12s than on nothing? ” Air Hardgreaves: “1 can make more.” Air Coates: “ A'ory well, why don’t you do it ? ’’ Air Hard greaves: “Tin a Major, a D. 5.0., and an AI.C., and here T am—hogging for work!” Another speaker suggested that the Government should provide work tor men other than navvies, some of tho unemployed being unable to undertake such work. Air Coates replied that lie was me able to nromi.se clerical' or other similar work. The last-eaino deputation was one of one. Air E. L. Hills, the lender of that section of the unemployed which expelled the group comprising the ; raviolis deputation. Air Hills is r.o longer tun mployod himself. ■■ I would not like you to think that tfie niainrity of the unemployed can he j, i,loci! by these men." said Air iL’ls. Air Coates said that there was no possibiltv of tho Government altming its decision regarding the wages offered.