THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1817, 17 December 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1879.

Telegraphic nows from Auckland shows that a singular, though not uncommon, state of affairs, as regards the labor market, exists in that province. A telegram informs us that " the railway contractors advertise for men and cannot get them. Farmers in the north are at a standstill for want of labor, yet the unemployed are interviewing the Mayor to get the Government to let the railway reclamation contract as day labor." Somewhat the same thing has been seen in other parts of the colony at other times. In point of fact, too many of the unemployed who may happen to be married think that during hard times it is the duty of the municipal authorities to obtain labor for them simply that they may be enabled to remain with their families. All sympathy should at all times be shown towards those who, anxious for work, are unable to obtain it. But, on the other hand, the married men who may happen to fall upon hard times, should reflect that the country at large cannot afford to study their particular convenience. Heads of families possess responsibilities that do not weigh on unmarried men, and these responsibilities should develop themselves in the direction of an extra eagerness to obtain work on the first possible opportunity. The fostering of family ties does not lie within the province of any community as a whole. Every man marries at his own risk. He enters into a state where, as a philosopher has romarked, " although he has more sorrows, ho has, to counterbalance them, more frequent joys." But the State cannot take these matters into consideration, and a married man should no more expect that work should be provided for him of such a naturo that he may reside with his family, than an unmarried man should Hook to the State to give him employment in a district where ho may find opportunities of supplying himself with a suitable partner for life. A good deal of maudlin sentiment has, unfortunately, been expended in the direction alluded to. The duty of the individual to the State and the State to the individual is clear enough, but once allow the idea to be muddled by side issues of this description, and no possible end to the claims of thoso who wish to be assisted can bo seen. If it was a wise saying of Danton that " children belong first to the Stato and then to their parents," it would be equally true that " married men belong first to the Stato and then to their families." They cannot expect the broad principles on which the Stato is regulated to bo pushed aside for their special benefit.

The Sports Committee wore asked yesterday to withhold for the present the grant made at a previous meeting to the charitable institutions of Ohristchurch. It was not, bo it understood, intended absolutely to withdraw the money. All that was meant by the resolution was that the payment, which in tlso ordinary course of affairs would bo at onco made by the secretary, should stand over until after the date to which the sports wero postponed. As was pointed out the association was formed for the purpose of affording amusement and recreation to the I'ublic. For this object the iiublic thomsolves subscribed towards a fund for putting tho course in order and other necessary works. The money so collected could only partly effect what was required, there remaining still much to be done, work which, if tho sports aro to bo carried out successfully, is absolutely necessary. This being so the association certainly should be just before they are generous and, though charity tho highost degree commendable, it seems to us that it wonld be better to wait until it was ft certainly that the Association would

have such a surplus over and above tlieir expenses as would justify them in making the grant referred to. Now there is an element of doubt in the mattor. The sports perforce had to bo postponed in consequence of the weather, until Now Year's Day. On that date there are a number of counter attractions which would not have been present on Anniversary Day. Consequently the attendance on Now Tear's Day cannot bo expected to be as large as it would have been yesterday. Henco the receipts must of necessity bo reckoned at a lower estimate, and therefore the committee will probably find that, after providing for the necessary expenditure, they willnot have the funds to meet the £25 voted. It may bo noted here that the postponement of the payment of the, grant would in no way deprive tho persons proposed to bo bonefitted of their treat. The usual timo for such gatherings is just after New Year's Day, so that no departure from Iho usual rule would bo rendered necessary. However, tho comHiittoo has decided to pay tho money over at onco. Tko public will, wo hope, feel that in contributing at tho gates on tho day of the sports thoy are giving to a doublo object, viz., tho promotion of tho sports and also tho provision, at a season of general rejoicing, of a treat for tho aged, infirm, and afflicted. Wo trust, therefore, that thoy will givo with no niggard hand on tho occasion. Tho Committee have, as it woro, thrown themselves on tho generosity of tho public, and, seeing the desirableness of tho object for which tho £25 is given, although not agreeing with tho manner in which the matter has been arranged, wo trust that pleasure-seekers on Now Year's Day will subscribe to tho funds as liberally as possible.