OTTAWA DELEGATES

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1932, Page 5

OTTAWA DELEGATES

NOW AT SUVA

I STATEMENTS BY DELEGATES

(United Press Association—By Electric-

'J’e.egrapii—Copyright.)

SUVA, July 1. The Australian and i\ew Zealand delegations are taking advantage of the islnpboacd opportunities for a .series of consultations, with a view to developing uni 'urniity' of attitude at Ottawa. Representatives of various industries are discussing the details of their respective aims, and will achieve a united programme before the conference opens. The exchange of views with industrial leaders in other Dominions lias reached an advanced stage. The Australian delegation are armed with voluminous reports on primary industries, giving evidence that Mr Lyons did not exaggerate when he said that no previous delegation from Australia was better equipped. The feeling of optimism among the Australian and New Zealand delegates has not diminished. There is a determination :to achieve more than mere formulas, but it is admitted that the question of Empiro currency sents a problem of the first magnitude which problem will be tackled at theearliest stages.

Mr Bruce, Mr Gujlett and the exverts have been in daily session since

the boat left Auckland. Mr Coates has a dual responsibility, whereas Mr

Bruce and Mr Gullett, looking only .ahead, , read the wireless reports of the Premiers’ Cfoiiftcence, with de- . tached interest. Mr Coates, intervewed, said that the New Zealand unemployed numbered 54.030 male adults. The Government was doing its utmost on their behalf to the absolute limit b-f the funds available. Although a. few agitators, mostly not native born, were constantly seeking to -stir up trouble, the great majority of the unemployed had taken the sane view that the Government was not to be blamed for the distress. - Mr Coates said that when it was first suggested , single unemployed menshould work for ten shillings a week plus, rations, the proposal was. greeted with derision. 1 Latterly, the

men concerned realised the true facts. The day he left Auckland 150 young men entered a working camp on these terms. Already, many othgr ■ eatnps were working satisfactorily-.; l]lys was a particularly encouraging .feature, indicating the men were showing the right spirit. In fact the .relief workers were shovelling an equal, yardage of material on the. road-making and drainage works to .the.ordinary.-condi-tions Five thousand men, supervision of experienced mine,, engaged in alluvial quartz , gold 1 mining in Central Otago and the West Coast and Thames,,,-two thousand .of whom were subsidised •by the Government. / ... i

Mr Coates stated there were excep-

tionally promising reports of finds of gold in Oie Reefton district, ~The Gov-, eminent was financing manjj (( of these platoons of larger miners., a large proportion of whom were already -selfsupporting, having paid tile . Government’s relief, at the rate of ten per cent of their gold returns. Many men had been assisted to sett 1 © on ten-acre farming sections with the option o' purchasing the adjoining blocks of 50 to 60 acres, and already were doing well. Unemployed women were not-

directly under Government supervision, but private organisations with Government assistance, were helping the women to find suitable work. Former wages and working conditions were necessarily modified until the Domin-

ion returns to normal, but everywhere was the spirit of willingness to share sacrifices. This single-mindedness throughout the country was the happiest augury for the rehabilitation, which it was hoped- Ottawa would facilitate.

with important trade measures. He earnestly” hoped the day was not far' distant when Government relief would be no longer necessary.

Mr Downie Stewart, whose health is benefiting by the restfulness ou the voyage is now appearing on deck in a wheeled chair, watching the games and enjoying the increasing sunshine.