FOREIGN LABOR

NZ Truth, Issue 1200, 29 November 1928, Page 6

FOREIGN LABOR

Alleged Preference To Dalmatians

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.)

One of the first official acts of the Minister of Public Works m the new Government should be a thorough investigation of the system of employing men, particularly casual labor. a . I i

XTUMEROUS complaints have reached IN the Auckland office of this paper to the effect that Dalmatians are m many cases employed m preference to New Zealanders who apply on the job for work. That there is considerable truth m the complaints is evident by a look round some of the works m progress m the Auckland district. One man complained that when he applied on one occasion the foreman of works informed him that there was "nothing doing," but m less than half an hour later, he said, a Dalmatian was employed. The fact that Gordon Coatea was heckled a good deal on the preference shown to Dalmatians at one of his Auckland meetings-, lends color to the allegation that foreigners are receiving preferential treatment. There is not the slightest justification for such treatment, if it exists. There are too many unemployed New | Zealand citizens, not to mention British immigrants, out of work, to warrant the wholesale employment of foreign labor. No doubt the Dalmatian is a good worker— rand pliable material with no great value fixed on his services, a fact which contributes to his popularity m the public works' labor market. But

what about the husky and willing New Zealanders who are anxious to get work and cannot, because the jobs that should be theirs are given to foreigners? Surely the free-born Briton is more entitled to whatever work there is available than is his foreign competitor. What the public has a right to know is the reason for this marked preference for Dalmatian, lab or, and "Truth" invites, the departmental heads to make public a return showing the actual number of Dalmatians employed and stating why they are so employed to the detriment of the men whose right to preference cannot be challenged. If it is due to the fact that Dalmatians are prepared to work at cut rates,. it is scandalous that such, a system should be tolerated. This matter should give, the new Minister much food for thought. A prosperous New Zealand is the motto of the United Party. If this party should assume office, let it check up the public works pay rolls, and if the information given to "Truth" is correct the party will have ample opportunity of giving effect to their policy of a fair deal for New Zea« landers.