MEETING OF UNEMPLOYED.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1984, 3 July 1880, Page 3

MEETING OF UNEMPLOYED.

A meeting of unemployed was held last night in the Oddfellows’ Hall, to receive the report of the deputation appointed to wait on the Government. There was a large attendance, the hall being filled. Mr James Gapes occupied the chair, and said that the meeting was called by the committee of the unemployed to receive the report of the delegates waiting on the Government with reference to the offer of work to those in need of it. Resolutions would be proposed which would, if carried, bo supposed to accent the offer of the GovemmentHe would now call upon Mr Bradshaw to read the report of the deputation. Mr Bradshaw said, before reading the report of tho deputation ho would like to explain that they had waited upon Mr Andrews and asked him if he would, with Sir George Grey, wait upon tho Government. The Government, however, destined to receive Sir George Grey, as he might make political capital out of it. Messrs Stevens and Andrews then agreed to introduce the deputation, which was done. He would now read tho report of the interview with the Government, which had been taken down by a reporter. [Mr Bradshaw then read a lengthy report of tho interview.] He might say that the Government had promised to give £1 8s to married men and £1 5s to single men, wet and dry, rations being supplied at Is 3d per day and firewood at IJd per diem. Eacilities would also be given to men to erect sod whares instead of living in tents. Mr Clements, tho other delegate, also gave an account of tho interview with the Government. The Government had agreed to give a loan of £lO each to the men, repayable by small instalments, say, Is per week. If any persons who had small means wished to take up land in the North Island the Government intended to offer a free pass to any part of Now Zealand. So soon as the meeting was over the Government terms would be open to them, and if they accepted them they would take 500 men out of Christchurch at once. Mr Bradshaw said that the Government guaranteed to find twelve months’ work for those who took up land in the village settlements so ns to start them faiily. The committee would not advise either one way or the Other, but had requested several of the principal citizens of Christchurch to give them their advice, and ho hoped they would do so. Mr Matthews said he desired to move tho first resolution—“ That this meeting accepts the terms offered by the Government to the unemployed through their delegates with this condition, that if they fail to comply with their conditions tho working men pledge themselves to form a self-supporting emigration society.” The village scheme propounded by the Hon. W. Bolleston was a good one, but it wanted good land, a d land upon which a man could live. [Cheers.] Mr Hill seconded the motion. The Chairman pointed out that the offer of work to the unemployed was made by the Government in writing to the delegates. Mr Lang contended that the land proposed to be laid out for village settlements was not at all suitable to the wants of the working classes. The speaker went on in the most vehement terms to denounce the offer of tho Government, and advised the working men to sit down in Colombo street and obstruct the traffic, not with riot, but patsively. Mr O. B. Taylor said he had come there j that evening at the request of the committee of the vrorking men, and should be happy to : give them the best advice he could. He could : mot agree with the resolutions as suggested, ] but while he said this he might also say that , there was no written promise of the Govern- , ment beyond that to locate the people ( on the land by means of small loans. Tho ; Government could not compel the Road Boards , to expend the money now at their credit, , because the money had been handed to the | Boards. He considered that the answer of ; the Government was somewhat indefinite, | but they must not forget that they hardly , knew how to manage the finances of the j colony. Hence he said it would be better to , take half a loaf until they could get a whole s one. [“No, no.”] Well, he had travelled ( over England, America, and the colonies, and j he had never seen a rebellious people prosper. s Hence he was grieved to hear any one ad- t vising his fellow citizens to rebel against the ] authority of tho Government. As regarded j the immigration of the working class to ( America he had no power in his official oapa- , city to send them over there. Why, in the ] month of March last 45,000 persons arrived | at the port of New York. Don’t let them be f led away by any one to rebel against the ( Government under which they lived, but let j them accept the offer of the Government ( until they could do better. Then > they could save up money and get , away from the colony if they desired to do j so. His opinion was that the Hon. John 3 Hall and his colleagues were endeavoring to j do all they could for the working man under j the circumstances. [Cheers, and “No.no.”] j They must remember that they were watched fay a keen Opposition, and hence ho said that ; that they had done everything that could , be expected of them. Mr Treadwell next addressed the meeting. Mr Matthews replied, saying that the soup kitchen was degrading the working men, and i making them paupers. He urged them to support and carry his resolution. Mr Long moved as an amendment—“ That the delegates be instructed to return the proposals back to the Government, and ask them to employ them on public works at 6s per day irrespective of any grants of land.” The Chairman mentioned that he had been Informed by the committee that a collection would be made to defray the coet of printing, J&o. The amendment was seconded by a gentleman from tho body of the Hall, named Wakefield. Mr Taylor once more urged upon the assembly the advisability of the meeting accepting the proposals of the Government. Mr Matthews spoke against the amendment. The Chairman said that several persons, together with himself and the committee, had gone through the proposals of the Government, and they felt that they were very reasonable and as much as could be expected. Many workmen in different trades in Christchurch did not earn more than 28s per week. A gentleman in tho hall asked whether the land would be open for selection at once, without being put up for sale by auction. Mr Clements said that Mr Bolleston had told him that the land would have to be put up bv auction if there was more than one applicant for it, but that all the sections would be put up in turn, so that some time they would get their land. Tho amendment was then put, and the chairman declared tho votes to bo nearly eqcal. The resolution was [then put and carried unanimously. Mr Parke then moved—“ That this large meeting ol working men respectfully begs the Ministry to introduce an in the Land Act, throwing open all lands, in Now Zealand, except pastoral lands on deferred payments without deposit. That on the day selectors apply for their land, should there be more than one selector or applicant for it, a ballot should be taken and tho land not put up to auction.” Mr Clements seconded the motion. Mr Treadwell spoke on the motion and complained of tho reporters there present not taking notes of hie speech. Having remarked that the proprietors of the “Lyttelton Times” and Peess who had their hands in the gridiron pie should be brought before the bar of the House, and should be expelled from the colony, he sat down. A gentleman from tho body of the hall, asked whether the proposer of this resolution had been promised office under the Government. Mr Perks indignantly denied that such was the case. Ho would not accept office if offered him. He was not allowed to earn his own living in Christchurch, The motion was then put and carded motion of Mr Treadwell a vote of thanks was passed to the delegates. .... Mr Bradshaw and Mr Clements replied to tho vote of thanks. . , , Mr Clements moved—“ That copies of the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to tno Hons. John Hall and W. Bollestom Mr Matthews seconded the motion, which was carried. , . on „ n Mr Bradshaw produced a map of 80UU acres of land at 35s per acre, which was guaranteed as being good land. Any rurtner information could be obtained from Mr Clements or himself. , Mr Lang moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, eulogising him for coming forward, Which was carried by acclamation.