The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1888. THE UNEMPLOYED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1912, 7 August 1888, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1888. THE UNEMPLOYED.

In Oamaru and Waimate the unemployed question is becoming so prominent that Government has been moved to assist m the matter and afford relief by opening up works whereever employment may be found for a large number of men who have famlies dependent upon them. In Oamaru the unemployed have been holding meetings and when their cases have been examined into it has been found there is real cause for the cry for work, while m the case of Waimate the same has been the result of research into the circumstances of petitioners. The member for Waimate has interested himself .most

heartily ttr'prtmde-fot^tlf^'necegßity of many working men m his constituency, and the member for Oamaru from his seat m the cabinet ha 9 also seen the necessity of doing something. It is well that just at this particular time Ashburton has not to face such a serious question as finding remunerative employment for a large number of working men. We can, however, while congratulating ourselves on our position feel for those who are not so well circumstanced and who have no alternative left them, but an appeal to the Legislature to set on foot some public work which will absorb the unemployed labor and keep house and home together till the busy season of shearing and harvest comes m again. From what we can gather from our Oamaru exchanges it appears that Government have agreed to advance £500 to be spent on work for the Oamaru unemployed, and an additional sum (assumed to be also £500 m amount) on behalf of the unemployed at Waimate, who are expected to work m conjunction with the Oamaru men. In addition to these sums £100 is being given for instant use Thus a sum of £1100 m all is given by the Government ; and it has been resolved that this should be expended, under the supervision of the County Council, on the road which is needed to connect the interior with the port of Oamaru. It is understood that Mr Banks, the County Engineer, will lose no time m getting the men to work and the employment so foand will stave off for the time the effect, wbich a large body of men without employment would have on the country while the work done will bo sufficiently remunerative to recoup the country for the outlay.