UNEMPLOYMENT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5297, 9 July 1928, Page 2

UNEMPLOYMENT.

NO NEW THING IN NEW ZEALAND. THE FIRST APPEAL. That unemployment dates back to the earliest days of settlement in New Zealand and that Auckland has the doubtful honour, of being the first of the colony’s cities in the making to forward an appeal to the Government to start relief works were' points brought out by Mr F. Waite (Clutha) in the House last week, when he made a short excursion into the history of the subject.

“In 1842,” Mr Waite said, “two shiploads of Scottish migrants, arrived on the Duchess of Argyle and the Jane Gifford. The simultaneous arrival of the two shiploads of settlers glutted, the limited capacity to employ labour, and so. was heard! the first cry bf the unemployed. An appeal was made to the Government to find work. The appeal was responded to, iy)d picks and shovels, were served out from the Government stone and a road party was set to work. The wages paid were half-H-crown a day, and the party was started at work on October 24, 1842, oil Shortland Crescent”

Mr Waite also mentioned that 'ill 1 1861 Otago was faced! with similar troubles, and a petition signed by 1010 workmen was presented to the Provincial Council. He considered, that the prayer to the petition would serve a.s a. model for an amendment in the House, it said : “Your petitioners, in. conclusion., humbly but firmly would remind the Council that this is no time for trifling with public affairs, for if they will not prove themselves equal to existing circumstances abler, h'onester, and more adventurous men will inevitably supersede them.” .