WORK! WORK! WORK!

Evening Star, Issue 3896, 19 August 1875, Page 3

WORK! WORK! WORK!

To the Editor. Sir,—Will you be kind enough to allow me space in your columns to express my indignation at the manner in which the Government are treating the poor people who are brought out here to starve ? I say starve ! Men who are willing and able to work, but they cannot obtain employment. It is the duty ot the Government to give work to men who will work, more especially to men who have others dependent upon their labor. Individually if you make application you arc very often refused, except your case is, as I have stated—starving. Von are given work for a week or two, and then driven off, to relapse into your former state of destitution. Should you be so unfortunate as to reside in the Government cottages, and fall behind with the rent, you arc turned into the street —it matters not whether you be sober and well-doing or not. These are facts which I am willing to substantiate should I be called on to do so. What I would suggest to the Government is that employment be found for the unemployed during the winter months in Dunedin. You must get the money to live and pay rent honestly if you can, but if you get it by dishonesty then you’ll get work : the prisoners are never out of work. Unless men rouse themselves, form a committee, and Ectitiou the Government, nothing tangible will e done for them. —I am, &c,, Amicus. Kensington, August 17.