MIGRATION AND WORK

Wairarapa Age, 25 February 1927, Page 5

MIGRATION AND WORK

NO OPENINGS FOR NEWCOMERS.

FARMERS ON THE OUTLOOK.

RESTRICTIONS NEEDED FOR A TIME.

A decided opinion that limits should be imposed on assisted immigration until economic conditions in the Dominion improve, was expressed by members of the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union at their meeting yesterday.

One item before the meeting was a letter in which the secretary of the Church of England Immigration Committee asked for information as to the number of immigrant lads that couhi be placed in the Wairarapa. The discussion that took place related largely, however, to the question, of Govern-ment-assisted immigration;

The secretary (Mr. J. Watson) said that there seemed to be a preponderance of opinion, among the farming community that immigration should bo stopped for the time being. Thirty or forty men had applied to him for work since the last meeting, and he had not been able to* place a single man. The president (Mr. Jackson) said that personally he felt that continued immigration was not in keeping with the conditions at present ruling in tho country. Although many of the immigrants were nominateil, there was no doubt that some of them were "displacing other workers. The Church of England boys were not brought out unless they had situations to come to, but many Vher immigrants were coming out on the chance of getting employment.

Mr. W. Colman held that no resolution was necessary. The Prime Minister had stated that immigration would be suspended for several months. Mr. H. A. Nevins said that thirty; thousand fewer men were now employed by farmers in New Zealand than in 1913. It had a good deal to do with unemployment that farmers were not in a position to spend money in carrying out improvements.

Mr. H. Daysh pointed out that some immigrants were bringing capital to the Dominion. He instanced the case of a Hertfordshire farmer who had come to this country recently with a capital of £4OOO and intended to take up land. There might be hundreds of similar immigrants. In further discussion,, a number of members supported the view that restrictions should be imposed on assisted immigration. It was agreed generally, however, that the immigration cf boys desirous of taking up farm work should be encouraged. Mr L. T. Danjell said that the Manufacturers’ Association meeting in Wellington recently, had passed a resolution urging that immigration should not be stopped. He thought they should express an opinion that in view of the present economic position, Mr. Coates was moving on right lines in proposing to suspend immigration for a time. Touching on the employment position, Mr. Daniell said that under the arbitration system every worker in New Zealand was guaranteed a certain rate- of pay, but the returns obtained by farmers were not sufficient to keep these going. They should advocate the adoption of piece-work rates on any. relief works that had to be started.

Mr. Laing said that the Labour Party would fight this to the last ditch. Mr. Colman: “Because they are on such a good wicket now.”