ASSISTED IMMIGRATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 38

ASSISTED IMMIGRATION.

THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS,,

STATEMENT BY HON. MR MILAR*

ASHBUR-TON, February 27. ' Interviewed by a, Guardian reporter, tha Hon. J. A. Miller eaid the Government intended to continue the importation oi agricultural labourers and domestic servant^ but would spread its requirements (whieb he estimated for all industries at 2700; including 500 girls) over too years, aiw| obtain all from the British -Isles if possible^ Excellent reports were .given of the standard of -immigrants of the past few years, ami similar methods of selection would bo pursued. A contract system would not be acceptable wr£h ;tiie Government or private employers. No definite employment or period would be granted — in fact, tha Government would not depart from th» present system. Continuing, the Minister said : " The protest of the Otago Trades and Labour Council must have been carried without full know< ledge of the true position. If it knew th« -actual conditions of oome of the trades- in! the Dominion, and how greatly their output could be increased if more men wepai available, it could not, if it wished! to see the country progress, carry such a) resolution. lam quite in accord with; it *g*inat any general scheme of innni* gration, cut to think that die industries ought to be allowed to remain practically stagnant is not, in tmy opinion, in the best interests of the Dominion. There is no need for outcry. Surely in a countrji with a population of nearly a roiilion 2000 people are a very small number to _bo brought in two years to meet the require-* merits of all industries."

In reply to questions, Mr Millar said? that technical education should have $l good effect on the workmon of the future,, and suggested a email wage for boys *fc' commencement, and a yearly rise of 29 per cent, of the journeymen's wage, reaching 80 per cent, during the last year oz indentureship Grading under awards with a specific wago was * question for, consideration of the unions. There was a> demand throughout the Dominion for -manjg classes of labour, and the duty .of ihet Government was to -cater for such. WitK-f out embracing- a general scheme of irnmi* the Government would assist aa far as practicable to adjust the distribuc tion of available surplus labour^