THE UNEMPLOYED.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1644, 28 May 1879, Page 2

THE UNEMPLOYED.

To the Editor of the Globe. Sib, —We may look for a crowded meeting in the Oddfellows' Hall this evening. Will not those in employ, those out of employ and wanting it, those who have it offered and won't take it, and those whb will u6t work at any price, will they not all be there to " stick up for their rights." I just vcntnre the opinion that the Mayor is lending himself too much to these " men in the street!" Let him ask all the unemployed to call at his office, and have their names entered in a tabulated form, which shall show where, when, and how these men were laßt employed, (heir length of service, and cause of dismissal. How many of them dare go through that ordeal. It is not the first time this outcry has been raised in our midst. But who are invariably the leaders ? Did not the notorious McLaren lead the men last time, and is not their present leader the illustrious "Mr John L«e." I say that the Mayor before making such a public stir should have got these men together and interrogated them in the manner I have suggested, rather than have caused this hubbub, which will be telegraphed all over and out of the colony to our detriment. I do not deny that there is a scarcity of work, there may be, but when such scarcity overtakes us, ought we not to meet employers half-way, and for the time being accommodate ourselves to the equally straightened circumstances of our masters P Workmen are apt to think that employers must always find work at full rates. But; why should the master work at a loss for the sake of his men? The papers reported three weeks back that in spite of the outcry for work, patch diggers could not be got at 8a per day. The City Surveyor reported to the Council last night that only fourteen men had accepted Stolid breaking. I venture that the majority of those fouitren men are recent arrivals, and who do not think it derogatory to break Btones so as to gain an honest living. Show mo the ' Old Colonial ' who would do likev4fre. Again, is this outcry hoard in the country districts ? Do we not each winter have an influx of men from the country who prefer to idle in town during those months ? It is a long subject,, Sir, but I trust his Worship will not led away from Lia position to-night. I can feel deeply for a man out of work or otherwise in trouble, and have oftentimes "made" a job for the sake of rendering a little Yours, &c, OLD COLONIST. To the Editor of the Globe. g IE) _I h U ve seen a report from the City Surveyor to the City Council at their meeting last night re the unemployed, which, if not explained, would damage our ciuse to a certain extent. The surveyor states in his report that a largo number of the unemployed have applied to him for stone breaking, but very few have availed of the opportunity ; and also, when asked, stated that tools had been supplied iree of charge.

"Now, as rho aboro would appear that we will not take work when offered, I wish to inform you and the public that I with many others applied a few days ago to the City Survojor for stouo breaking, and was told that wo should have to find our own tools, and after telling him that I was married, with a largo family, and wa3 hard up, was still refused the use of the Council's tools. I should have been very glad of tho opportunity to have had the chance to go to work, as my wife and children were wanting the necessaries of life at tho time. It was last Saturday when we were refused the use of the tools ; aud if tho surveyor decided afterwards to let the tools out free of charge, why not have made it public through the Press, and then I think a great many more would have availed themselves of the chance of earning a few shillings to keep body and soul together. Yours, &c, HAED UP. May 28th, 1879.