MEETING OF THE UNEMPLOYED.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1635, 17 May 1879, Page 2

MEETING OF THE UNEMPLOYED.

In accordance with an ad vertisement calling upon the unemployed to meet in front of the new Post-office at eleven o’clock this morning, shortly after that time, about fifty persons were assembled near the lamp-post at the crossing, and, after a short conference among some dozen of them, Mr John Lee, better known in Christchurch as “ Jack Lee,” ascended the pedestal of that structure and opened the proceedings. Addressing those present as “ fellowworkmen,” he said the object of the meeting was to devise some means of relief during the present great stagnation which existed. They ought to give every one to understand that they intended to put their shoulders to the wheel, and make that to their advantage which was now to their disadvantage. They ought to assert their rights as men. They had been brought out to the colony under false pretences, at great personal sacrifices. [R ear > bc ar -] Mr Lee then proceeded to decry the Government agents who were drawing their thousands. Ho said that they must compel the Government to give them work. The best thing they could do would be to select a number of members from amongst themselves to get vp a petition to the Government, who were bound to find them employment. A man named Charles Clemens next addressed (he meeting. He thought the notice given of the meeting too short. They had been told that they would have work ail the year round, but for his part he had got only one month’s work since last January. If he could have his way ho would have Julius McYogel (sic) strung up by the heels. [A voice—“ Let him die.”] Ho was not fit to let die. The country was fit only for women. There were too many public-houses. If they earned a shilling they spent it there ; if they gave the shilling to the women they spent it there too. Why, the women were the ruin of the men. [Applause.] A Voice —What about Chinamen ?

The Speaker—Lot them live. They were all sent into the world to do their best—white, red, black, and yellow. After the speaker had concluded, about a dozen consented to act as a committee. An arrangement was made that the meeting should take place again on Monday at noon. The people then dispersed. The proceedings were orderly throughout.