THE UNEMPLOYED.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1883, 6 March 1880, Page 3

THE UNEMPLOYED.

A deputation of the unemployed in Christchurch, consisting of Messrs G. M. Bennett, Wm. Young, John Mathews, Daniel Cameron and Walter Coombs, waited on Measr 8 Andrews and Stevens at the office of the latter this morning, to represent the distress prevailing among the unemployed in Christchurch at the present time. Mr Bennett, who acted as spokesman, introduced the deputation, and after having explained the unfortunate position occupied by a large number of working men, presented a petition signed by 150 thereof, praying that the Government would either find them work or place them in a position to seek for it, the majority of them being in absolute want. Mr Stevens asked what callings these men represented ? Mr Bennett replied that they were of all trades, but the majority were laborers, accustomed to pick and shovel work. Mr Stevens said he might state that he was met in the street some days ago by two or three persons, one of whom asked him a question about obtaining employment in the North Island. He telegraphed to the Premier to know whether employment could be found in the same way for the unemployed in the South, To this he received a reply that there were a greater number of unemployed in the North Island than work could be found for. At the same time an assurance was given that should the cessation of harvest operations leave any number of men out of work in the South, and proved distress ensue, the Government would (make arrangements for giving work on the same terms as in the North Island. But the difference between what the deputation asked and what Mr Hall said in that message was this: That whereas the deputation wanted work immediately, the Government contemplated giving it if they should be satisfied that the stoppage of the harvest work left a considerable number of men out of employment. Mr Andrews intimated that his colleague had put the case as he understood it. Mr Stevens I suppose you wish Mr Andrews and myself to undertake to forward this petition to the Government. Mr Bennett replied in the affirmative. Mr Andrews thought itjwould be better if the deputation could furnish a more detailed statement of the trades which the men whose names appeared in the petition represented. Mr Stevens —Would yon be prepared to show that the facts set out in this petition with regard to all these persons could be made good if the Government required it to be done ?

Mr Bennett said there could be no doubt of the correctness of the allegations generally. Application had repeatedly been made to Mr Marsh, of the Charitable Aid department, and the Rev. Mr Smalley had been going round with the object of endeavoring to alleviate t£.e distress.

Mr Andrews—You are quite certain these names are genuine ? Mr Bennett—Quite certain, sir. Mr Stevens —And if the Government should require that this urgent want of employment should be shown clearly, could it so be shown ? Mr Bennett—l think so, sir.

A member of the deputation said he was an unskilled laborer, and since Christmas time he had only earned 15s. He had three children, and did not at that moment know where the next meal was to come from. He wished it to be understood, however, that the suffering unemployed quite recognised the fact that the country was at present suffering under considerable depression, and they wished to conduct themselves as quietly as possible in making their wants known, feeling by such a course they were most likely to carry out their, views. He then went on to point out that a great difficulty with the married men was that they could not compete with single men, who could move easily about, and one of the concessions thought desirable was that the former class, if given work, say on the railway, should be allowed time to build huts to accommodate women and children, for, as he put it, 11 the same teapot which served for the man would accommodate bis family.” Another member of the deputation pointed out that a number of the unemployed who came under the class mentioned in the petition were new arrivals. Personally, he had been seven months in the colony; he had a wife and five children, and was entirely without means, or the prosneot at present of obtaining work. He had applied to the Charitable Aid office, but was told there to seek for work. But work was not to be obtained.

Mr Andrews, in reply to Mr Stevens, who asked for an expression of opinion from him on the subject, said he felt quite certain that there were in the district oases equally bad to any that had been named by the deputation. Mr Walter Ooombea (one of the deputation) said he was sure if there were relieving officir here as in London there would be found as much distress in Sydenham and other portions of Canterbury as existed in the thickly populated towns of England. Mr Stevens informed the deputation that he and Mr Andrews would lay their case before the Government at once.

In conversation subsequently, as to the best mode of meeting the case, those gentlemen decided to write by the mail to Wellington this evening, and in case of the Premier having left Wellington, to give instructions that the substance of their communication should be telegraphed to Mr Hall, so as to avoid delay. The deputation then expressed their thanks and withdrew. A meeting of the unemployed will be held on Monday next, to obtain further signatures of a lona fide character to add to those which already appear on the petition presented by the deputation.