THE LABOUR MARKET.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 758, 24 November 1876, Page 3

THE LABOUR MARKET.

To the Editor of the Globe,

glEj—Knowing the state of the labour market in the province at the present time, I am somewhat surprised at the tone of your leader of last night, re objection to what appeared in a home paper of wide circulation from a resident of the North Island. That you should call his statements gross misrepresentatisns shows, sir, that you know but little of the hardships of the unemployed of Canterbury at the present time, which ought to compare favourably with the time the remarks were penned which you object to. Before you write again, just ask the employers of Christchurch if they don't think there are 500 men oat of employment at this present time, and many of those in work would be only too glad to get back to the old country again. Where are the hundreds of men now who, twelve months ago, were constructing our railways, &c—viz, walking about the country with their swags on their backs seeking employment in vain. Ask your city surveyor if he or his foreman has any applicants for employment, or your railway officials, &c, &c. Don't fear that means won't be taken to let the working men in the old country know the state of this and its working men, with its debt of £SO per head, and no native industry to keep the money in the country; with near £i per head taxes, independent of £1 10s for one child's schpoling, and wages 15 per cent lower than they were this time last year—viz, shearing. Our M.P.'s increased their's 100 per cent last year, because the cost of living was that much more. Let the British workman know these and a few more facts. They will be sure to come in large numbers. Sir, I hope you will be kind enough to give this a place in your next issue as an act of justice to us, unable to get employment at anything. Yours, &c, G. WALKER. Christchurch S., November 24.