THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1882. THE “UNEMPLOYED” CRY

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2688, 18 November 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1882. THE “UNEMPLOYED” CRY

Whilst having the strongest possible sympathy with the hardships of those who, in times of depression, are unable to find a market for their labor, ono cannot too strongly reprobate the mischievous efforts of some blatant demagogues to raise the cry of want of work under other and far more favorable circumstances. Wa do not know who is responsible for the convening of the meeting to have been held yesterday, but we do not hesitate to eay that thero is not the slightest warrant for snch a gathering. In every direction and in all branches of industry labor is wanted. The shearing is getting into fall swing, and there is generally throughout the country an activity which ensures to every man who desires it employment at fair wages. How, then, under these circumstances, can it be said that there is a dearth of work, or a large number of men unemployed. The very failure of the meeting itself is tbe strongest argument that can ha adduced in favour of our contention. Bnt, whilst we rejoice to find that the anticipations formed of the general prosperity of tho district are correct-, it is impossible to disgnise tbe fact that such an advertisement as tho one we are referring to is likely to do a great deal of harm. Canterbury has a number of evemies jealous of her prosperity, and only too ready to snap at anything to her detriment, and to circulate it freely. Of course, it would be uatruo to say that there is not one unemployed man here. In a commnniy such as ours, from various circumstances, mainly their own fault, there will always be a per centago of the population out of work—gentlemen who turn up their noses at a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, and who, if translated to Utopia, would still swell the ranks of the unemployed. But any man who honestly desires to work, who is prepared, imitating those who have gone before them by practising frugality and thrift, to do his best in the country of his adoption, can find employment readily, and need not be one of tho unemployed for a day. This is tho class of men who, when the pressure of hard times comes, are the greatest sufferers, because it is only when the last re soures is exhausted that they coma forward as unemployed. Wo trust that there will be an end of these very silly and mischievous pranks. It has already been shown that they have a tendency to injure the community; hut we would go further, and point out how injury may arise to the working men themselves. It is simply another application of the old fable of the shepherd boy and the wolf. The public and the Government, finding that the cry of want of employment is raised on all and every occasion, whether justified by circumstances or totally the reverse, will be very chary of giving any credence to such gatherings in futnre. As it is perfectly plain that in no case is tbe motto “he gives twice who gives quickly ” more applicable, the chances of obtaining assistance will be considerably curtailed. Had thero been the faintest resemblance of a reason for snch a gathering as that contemplated yesterday, we should have boen prepared to give what little help we could, bnt, as it is, there can be no excuse whatever for it, and we cannot but say that tho author of the notice is deserving of very severe censure. If intended as a joke it is a very sorry one, and a kind of joke that requires repression with a strong band.