A STARTLING PETITION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 201, 24 August 1880, Page 4

A STARTLING PETITION.

At a meeting of the Christchurch unemployed on the 2nd instant the following petition w«s read and sien-fd, bb blso one to tbe Governor of New Zealand, pr*ying for a Royal Commission to he appointed to enquire into the petitioners' grievances :—- --"To the President of the United States of America iC Honoured Sir— lj has been conceived by a Committee oi the unemployed of this city and Buhurbs to approach yoo and your people by bumble petjtion.; Our. hope by doing so ip through lively souvenirs of your history, and every day records of thousands Hooking to your shores, thereby impressing os wnh a knowledge of an incontrovertible fact — viz., that immense fields must bp opened to absorb population, that beneficent concessions are tnade to imrrig rants, and that fraternal links cement the inhabitants of your country together, the unparalleled increase of that portion of the human family which you have the honor to preside over abundantly shows. Our warrants and excures for so doiog are manifold — viz., parallel motives to tbose which actuated the founders of your noble flag and institutions : abuse of power in this portion of Her Majesty's dependency ; legislators, wealth, ministers of the gospel, judges, unscrupulous charlatans bave been fit tools of leverage to disseminate in a false ligbt the capabilities and resources of this colony ; by such acts alluring thousands to its shores, wbo bave been enterprising enough as to forsake relics of forefathers in a land where they are so numerous. Again we repeat, so enterprising, seeking after good virtuous reward in exchange for their industry. Now tbe veil is lifted. Nothing save indigence and poverty haunt them day by doy, entailing unceasing degradation. As a final remedy we appeal to you, Sir, and your people, asking in the name of Providence (or an extension of mighty generouß sympathy, for by so doiog once more you will chronicle in your archives a magnanimous renown. Enclosed is a list oi trades and callings with dates of arrival in tte colony, number of days employed by ordinary avenues of supply and rieinaud, amount of wages paid by Government, quality of work performed ; a'so ages aud numbers ia each family, by way of justifiable guarantee to the action here initiated by the committee of the ua employed. Honoured Hr, . koowing how imperative it is tbat exhaustive information was necessary to guide you in any resolution you may arrive at, we further beg to enclose for your perusal the enclosed extracts from the local press bf the last two year*, likewise tbe assurance in all gcol faith that any disbursement of your Go-

vernment will be repaid by your Supplicants should yoa accede to this, 'our petition/