THE UNEMPLOYED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2263, 7 August 1908, Page 2

THE UNEMPLOYED.

LABOR DEPARTMENT’S INVESTIGATIONS. SOME SURPRISING REVELATIONS [Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August G. The petition from the unemployed to the Premier lias been considered by the Labor Department and investigations have also been made. In its report, the Department says there is considerable distress among carpenters and painters at present, though many who signed the petition have since obtained employment. In regard to cooks and waiters appearing on the list, they are unfitted for hard manual labor, and are more or less out of work at any period of the year. Several men who signed were merely out of a job for a few days, as ordinarily happened in their particular trades. The Chief Inspector says that apparently the petition was signed in most cases on the persuasion of the persons who originated it. Indeed, some of the prime movers admitted that many of the signatories were not bona fide unemployed, while in several instances men who signed the petition had no intention of taking work if it was offered.

The following are extracts showing the circumstances of some out of over one hundred cases investigated: Porter, single, New Zealander, offered work by Department and job it Rongotea; most abusive, and police had to bo telephoned for to quieten him. He has signed the petition in two places. Hotel hand, landlady says he went away yesterday to get married. J.P., says when lie wants work lie can get it. Painter, single, confidentially informed hv his union secretary that he is too fond of painting his noso to spend much time painting houses. Laborer, single, been out three months, refused work in railway construction, used most abusive language when offered it by the Department’s officers; was one of the organisers of the agitation; lias gone to Napier for a holiday. C. W., laborer, married, GO years of age, three sons working, does odd jobs cutting firewood, etc.; i,s not anxious to get a start; reckons it was time he was knocking off. Late proprietor of hotel pie couldn’t work if lie would.

Laborer, away from his lodgings at time of visit; landlord volunteered the information that he was a mjn who spent a good deal of time in the neighborhood of the Queen’s (Statue, implying that he was not over-fond of work.

Laborer, no trace, sergeant of police treated the inquiry as a huge joke; says lie has some property and doesn’t want work as it would interfere with his main occupation—drinking beer. . •