REPLY TO CRITICISM

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1928, Page 3

REPLY TO CRITICISM

AIR. COATES’S STATEMENT. , (By Telegraph—l’or Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 7. Alluding to tho London “ Daily llorald’s ” latest statement, Air Coates says the facts are bettor than any comment and tho fact Now Zealand has tho lowest proportion of unemployed to population in any country in tho world, is an effective answer. The returns showed that in the United States at tho end of 1927, the unemployment ratio was olio to 28; in Great Britain at March of this year, the ratio was onp in 38; in Queensland it was oiie ill (53, in New South Wales one in 1(57. ami for tlie whole iff the Commonwealth it was one in 190. For New Zealand the figures were one in 375. We in New Zealand know that it is an exaggeration to suggest that there arc hundreds of starving men walkihg the roads or that large numbers of migrants are ill dire distress; We know there is unemployment and the government has not sought to minimise its real extent.AYe have preferred to face the position fairly and squarely in an endeavour to find work to tide men over their difficulty. For party purposes there are those who seek to magnify the position instead of lending assistance to th' Government in finding a solution of the problem. As far as migrants are concerned close contact is maintained with them by the Immigration Department and for every one who Inis complained of the treatment accorded him m this country of his adoption there are hundreds'"who have nothing but gratitude if or the assistance they have received.