THE UNEMPLOYED IMMIGRANTS

Evening Star, Issue 3578, 11 August 1874, Page 2

THE UNEMPLOYED IMMIGRANTS

A deputation from the Cjty Council, consisting of his Worship the Mayor (Mr K. Ramsay), Messrs Mercer, C. S. Reeves,’ and Prosser, this morning, waited upon hjs Honor the Deputy-Superintendent (Capt. Boyd), and the Acting-Provincial Secretary (Mr M‘Keliar). In introducing the deputation, the Mayor pointed out that their object was to find out m what way the Corporation could give assistance to the Governmeat in finding work for the unemployed immigrants. They did not know in what way they could assist the Government, as they could not give employment, Jto the new arrivals at the current rate of wage#, pr anything like it. tlis Honor did not think th/s,t the Government contemplated so high' a pf wages. Mr Mackellar would explain the views of the Government.

Mr Mackellar said that the intention of the Government was to invent work which would last for a short time, so that the immigrants would be employed for say a month, or for such a time as would suffice to enable themselves and families to provide for going up oojjntry or elsewhere, where they could employment. Their services would only be required till such timp pr till they were absorbed by the labor market. The difficulties that presented themselves to Government were those of employing so large a number wituout house accommodation^ i hey could easily get rid of the single men by erecting tents for them. The great difficulty in giving employment to the married men was in providing them with houses. The only accommodation at present available to the Government was that offered in the barracks. In the face of that, and with another ship about to arrive shortly the Government think that, if the Corporation would initiate their works somewhat earlier than they intended—and the Uovernment had reason to think they had works which might be put in operation—say a month earlier, it would prove no loss to them. The 0 oyernment were aware that the Corporation had dispensed with their usual men icr a short time, and they contemplate asking the Corporation to initiate works’’at once. Uf course the Government could uht dictate to them, b'ujfc they thought that by

commencing these works they might put en some new-chums. The Government intended to give the best of those men who worked for them 6s per day, and 6s to others. It was not intended in any way to provide work which would pay them to remain at It was the Government’s intention to provide them with work for which they would be thankful for a short time, and keep them in food, but which they would be glad to leave to take ordinary employment. One of the rules laid down by himself was that if it came to the Government’s knowledge, through one of their overseers, that any man had been offered employment by private parties, and that he had refused to take it, it would be the signal for his discharge by the Government. In the meantime they had difficulty in storing them. The men would be sent to Logan’sToint to break stones, and the Government asked the Corporation to initiate similar works.

The M avor pointed out that the men required some knowledge to undertake the Corporation works. Their surveyor had told them that it would be cheaper to give their old men 8s than new om s ss. At their meeting the other night, a suggestion was thrown out that the Government should meet the Corporation half-way—the Government should the money, the Corporation the labor. He did not think it likely the suggestion would be favorably entertained by the Government. It was possible that some labor might be found on the Town Belt for them.

Mr Reeves pointed out that the Government had promised some time since that the old Botanical Gardens should be reclaimed by prison labor. It the Government could see its way clear to employ the immigrants, this would give work to them for some time. It was to have been done by prison labor, but the prisoners had been called to different work from time to time, and this work hud always been put off. Mr Mercer mentioned that, when he was Mayor, several deputations had been held, but there was always no prison labor. The Government ought to assist, seeing that they were bringing out so many immigrants, and so fast. Most of the Corporation works were carried out by contractors, and they always required the men to be skilful. The only work he knew of fit for the immigrants was that of breaking stones, similar to that given by the Government, and the men did not seem disposed to take it. He knew of families who hd been forced to leave the houses in which they had lived for months, owing to the extortionate rents demanded. The want of house accommodation was very severely felt. It was the place of the Gene ral, if not of the Provincial Government to find the men houses.

Mr Mackellaß pointed out with reference to the question of the Botanical Cardens the difference between the cost of prison and other labor. The Government bad no money to meet such circumstances as paying the immigrant for the work. The immigrants were not sent out at the request of the Provincial Government.

After further discussion, Mr Magkbllar mentioned that one work could be commenced in the Province which would absorb 500 hands, if they could only provide houses.

Mr Mercer suggested that, as was the case in the Colony twenty years ago, sodhouses should be built. They proved very comfortable.

Mr Mackellar thought that old colou’sti were too much in the habit of priding thenuelvt-s on what difficulties they had encountered—iu fact, they were given too much to blowing.—(Laughter.) They came out here voluntarily prepired to meet difficulties. These “new chums” came out under misapprehension : they were told that there was plenty of work and no difficulties.

Mr Prosser thought the best thing would be to build in pieces, so that the Government when done with one portion of the contract Lojjld remove them to another. His Honqr 5 Wligpe is tfie jnoney to come from ?

Mr Prosser answered that the Government should be prepared to meet the difficulty. The fault lay at the other end. Had the immigrants been of a suitable class, he did not think there would have been much difficulty in disposing of them. He would ®J*BB®Bt that Mr Mackellar should give the Corporation a list of the most suitable men to complete the public works in the town, and then the Corporation would see what work they fcould gjye them. There was no good in taking the men not fit for she work It was the duty of the Government to find them work.

Mr Mackellar promised to give the list asked for. It could not do much harm, or be much loss to the Corporation if they gave the men 5s per day. The Corporation work would be more fit for them than blasting and breaking stones. A little over seventy men wefe employed to work for the Government yesterday. Though the number does not look yery formidable, it represents a great many women aid children. Mr Merger said a great msny persons were coming here from Canterbury and the country, learning things were very prosperous, and then asked the Corporation to give them work.

The Mayor considered Mr Prosser's suggestion a very good one, and Mr Mackellar promising to forward the list, the deputation thanked his Honor and retired.