HC Deb 15 March 1923 vol 161 cc1782-3
89. Mr. NEWBOLD

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give statistics of the unemployment now prevailing in the building, dockside, engineering, shipbuilding, and other principal industries in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria., and South Australia?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I am not aware to what extent there is unemployment in Australia in the industries to which the hon. Member refers. There is no unemployment in agriculture in Australia.

Mr. NEWBOLD

Cannot we have a more satisfactory answer than that, in view of the fact that large numbers of men are emigrating there and finding no jobs?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I think that is not true.

Lieut.-Colonel CROFT

is it not the fact that no one is assisted at the present time except, for agriculture and domestic service, and that, therefore, there is no unemployment in the ease of those emigrants who go?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

That is so.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Is it not also the fact that no emigrants are desirous of quitting Australia at the present moment?