The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-01-21
CANADIANLAWS
AID in AVERTING
UNEMPLOYMENT

New York, Jan. 15.-G. D. Rob
crtson, Minister Of Labor Of Canada
addressing the annual meeting Of
the American Association for Labor
Legislation here last week on the
operation Of measures recently
adopted by Canada to combat IN
employment, declared that the gov
eminent employment service is pro-
vidirg an effective aid in the con-
tro. Of immigration, thereby lessen
ing the seriousness Of the present
unemployment problem.
During the year 1920 alone, he
said, employers had applied to the
government for permission to i'm
nort some 5000 skilled workers
from Europe or elsewhere, but as
result Of the governments service
in supplying skilled help from Can
ada's own unemployed workers, it
was necessary to bring into the
country only 10 workers in filling
this demand.
Minister Robertson declared that
80 employment offices established
by the government in all Canadian
cities since March 1919 had during
the first Is months Of their exist
cree, placed 100000 workers in jobs
without cost to either employers or
worEmen.
The public labor exchanges, &C.
cording to Mr.. Robertson, were able
to put more than 10000 at work
because Of an arrangement with the
railroads for special rates to work
ers sent by the government service
20 jobs more than 100 miles dis
tant. This number, he said, does
not include the annual westward ex-
cursion Of harvest hands.
THE cost to the government Of
placing workers in positions" Mr.
Robertson asserted, SIS less than
onehalf the amount per person that
was formerly paid by the individual
as commission to the private en-
| ployment agent. Five Provinces
have, by legislation, abolished pri-
vate employment agencies altogeth-
er and another Province purposes
shortly to take similar action. If
a system of unemployment insur-
ance is adopted in Canada the en-
| ployment service will undoubtedly
be the instrument of its administra-
ton"
Canada's new program for pre-
| venting unemployment, as outlined
| by Mr.. Robertson, centers in a ma
tional-state employment servi c e
| working in close touch with the
immigration Department. Other
measures brought into effect in
clude cash gratuities to unemployed
returned soldiers; federal aid to mu-
inequalities in providing emergency
relief to the unemployed; the pur-
chase Of government supplies when
a particular industry is slack; the
| appropriation Of "a substantial
number Of millions" of dollars for
federal and local public works, and
an excise tax on Injuries to restrict
| extravaganza, which was in force
only long enough to fulfill it's pur-
| pose. In addition private employ
ers have been urged and many have
adopted the policy Of reducing hours
| Of work or the number of days per
week rather than reducing their
forces.
Referring to the governments aid
to cities in relieving distress due
to unemployment, Minister Robert
son said:
"The government has said that
whenever emergency relief is neces-
sary to care for people who cannot
| be employed, the necessity for an
extent Of relief must be determined
by municipal authorities and that
the federal government will pay
one-third Of the money so disbursed
provided relief is given only on pre-
| sentation Of a certificate from our
employment service indicating that
the bearer has applied for but could
not be given employment"