AN IMMIGRANT’S DEATH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3841, 6 September 1928, Page 2

AN IMMIGRANT’S DEATH.

QUESTIONABLE PROPAGANDA, PRIME MINISTER RELATES FACTS. Wellington, Last Night. In replying to a question put by Mr. .J. C. Rolleston (Waitomo), the Prime Minister said he had seen a cable published in New Zealand and quoted from the Daily Herald in London, with reference to the death of a man named Domic Nolan at Otaika, near Whangarei. He gave the history of the man so far as it was known to the authorities. He said he was not an assisted immigrant, but notwithstanding this he was met by the immigration officers, and offered assistance, advice and work. He decided, however, to find work for himself, and proceeded to the North Auckland district. Nothing further was heard of him until October, 1926, at which date he had secured employment with Mr. N. S Mason, a farmer, at Maromaku, where he remained until March, 1928. At this farm he was housed, fed, and paid well, and was never asked to work if he did not feel like it, and pleased himself at most times when he left off. When he finally left this job, he had a plentiful supply of clothes, and drew the balance of wages due, £8 10/-. He then went to work for Mr. Wallace, a farmer, at Towai, and left there on April 26, 1928, drawing £1 12/6, as the balance of wages due.

It was known that he then proceeded to Whangarei, spending his money, and he evidently wandered a couple of miles out of the town, lay down in the scrub alongside the road, and died.

With reference to the statement imputed in the cablegram to the secretary of the Waitomo Labour Party, Mr. Coates said it would be advisable for Labour secretaries, before circulating damaging reports, concerning the Dominion, to obtain the true facts. The Leader of the Opposition“lt is not denied that his letter was found.” The Prime Minister said he had further information, but he did not think it advisable to give it. The man had been arrested and convicted at Whangarei. He had also been an inmate of the Whangarei Hospital for five weeks, suffering from heart trouble. That was during the time he had been employed by Mr. Mason. ' Mil. Holland: “T|he letter the man himself left was to the Daily Herald.” The Prime Minister: “For every letter of complaint, we have a number .” Mr. Holland: “Was it not the man’s own letter that Avas sent to the Daily Herald?” The Prime Minister: “That I cannot say, but anyhow, the information was supplied, according to the report, to the Labour Party secretary at Waitomo. The letter contained incorrect statements. As a matter of fact, it was ridiculous nonsense to say there Avere hundreds of men walking about starving.” Mr. Holland: “It said hundreds of men; that is quite true.” The Prime Minister: “I do not think there are hundreds of starving men Avalking about this country. There Avere men Avho had had difficulty in getting work, it Avas perfectly true, but Avhen people say there are hundreds of men Avalking about the roads starving, well, I think the people in the country districts are the best judges of that.” Mr. W- Parry (Auckland Central) : “They are sleeping under the bridges in Auckland.” The Prime Minister: “I say the Labour unions have a duty. It is not generally realised that secretaries pounce on men on relief Avork for their dues.” Mr. Holland: “That is not a fact. No union compels a man to pay up Avhen he is out of Avork.”

The Speaker: “I am afraid this discussion does not come Avithin the scope of the question.”

The Prime Minister said he had letters saying that the position Avas as he had stated, and he concluded by saying that it Avould be just as well to throAV out a broad hint that people should fall into line and help.