SHEARERS AND MINISTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 215, 1 April 1913, Page 8

SHEARERS AND MINISTER.

IMMIGRATION UNNECESSARY.

DICTUM OF SHEARERS' CONFERENCE.

By Telegraph—Press Association, Wellington, Last Night. Replying to requests from a deputation froi.i tlie Shearers' Conference, llr. Massey as Minister of Labor, said that ' i he would consider the matter of placing * yo'k bi.il- on the list, of discuses for which compensation should be paid, if, a< was Mated, it was similar to anthrax, Rcgmding the complaints about, accommodation, he said he would have the nwttf" fully investigated, with the object of securing full conrptiance with tb» requirements of the Act. Replying to representations that immigration was unnecessary while many men already in the Dominion wvre mi- v able to get work, Mr. Massey said this surprised him, as, in going through the country, he was met by many eomplainte of' tbe'lack of farm labor. The Government only assisted domestics and farm laborers, and the impression that waa circulated that 23,000 people were to be brought out annually by the Government wa- nonsense. He believed thai fov ever)' immigrant who arrived, six could be employed. The Minister, sympathised with the deputation's request that the facilities for securing workers' homes should be extended, and said that instruction* had '., bsen given for the purchase of an arc* of land in South Island for this purpose. He insisted that workers who took np workers' homes should have the right to acquire the freehold. The deputation had urged that only leasehold tea- . i lire shoutd be given in such eases.