GO SLOW!

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3556, 22 June 1912, Page 3

GO SLOW!

N.S.W. IMMIGRATION PROBLEM.

A HOWL FROM THE UNIONISTS

(From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, June 11.

The Labor-men are very swift, as arbitrarily raising wages to a point at which they cannot be long maintained, and in so restritcing the hours of labor as materially to curtail tile production of the wealth which provides the . common prosperity. In other matters, which, instead of being prejudicial, are beneficial, they are eager to jump at any excuse for doing nothing. London shipowners, for instance, have found that the extraordinarily low rates fvhich they were quoting for assisted passages to Australia do not pay. They have therefore notified an increase in the rate. This has at once’ been seized as a pretext by the Government as a pretext for "going slow” on immigration. Mr. McGowen- is delighted at the increase in the fares, because it will diminish the number of immigrants! An attitude weaker, or more unstatesmanlike,it would be difficult to conceive. It may be admitted, however, that the situation is not so simple as it may appear. Legal, recogni-' tion has been given to the unions and to the union secretaries- .... This gives an immense advantage, if not an actual monopoly, to unionists in the quest for employment. And it puts immense difficulties in the way of newcomers who seek employment. If they can gain admission to the unions they are usually taken in preference to the old hands, whom a long course of weak apd timid concession has made almost unemployable. Then there is a howl that the immigrants are being brought out for this special ■purpose, although it is the inevitable result of the insubordination, laziness and disaffet-cioh which have been deliberately fostered by the unions. Very soon it will become a matter of urgency to determine whether* the shameful partiality which lias put the unions in. tlieir present position of' virtual supremacy is compatible with the maintenance of assisted immigration, and whether, on the other hand, the cessation of assisted immigration v ould not mean national stagnation, and exposure to the danger of invasion.