Deputation of Unemployed.

Patea Mail, 24 July 1880, Page 3

Deputation of Unemployed.

A HINT FOR GOVERNMENT. A deputation of working men, resident in Patea, met the Government Engineer at the local Public Works Office yesterday afternoon, to ask for employment, and to protest against the importation of cheap labour at the public expense. Mr A.J. Hunter received them courteously ; and Major Noake, who has charge of the batch of 'unemployed just sent by Government from Wellington, was also present. Mr Tl. Baldwin, acting as spokesman for the party, said : A lot of us have been stationed in this place a long time, some 15 months, others four or five years ; and wo consider it very hard for strange men to be sent here by the Government, to work on the railway at the public expense, while we have to be idle because there is not work in the place for us. Some of us are single, some are married, and some have 1 little houses to live in. There is rent going on, and other expenses for families, and I believe every man is willing to work. Mr Hunter: I may tell you that the men employed here by the Government are to receive 21s a week if unmarried, and 28s if married, and they have Is 3d a day stopped for rations. Are you willing to work on the same terms ? Mr Baldwin : I should think anything would bo better than idling. Mr-Hunter; You must remember that the Patea Station contractors may be up very shortly, and may be wanting a lot of hands. Mr Baldwin : But the Government are bringing a lot of men into the place while wo are lying idle. Wo have ho chance for the job, because when the works turn up there will be these hands to fill the places, and we shall remain idle, as it were.

Mr Hunter; I don’t think many of those men will be taken on by the contractors, because they arc not used to the work. Mr Baldwin : I think the piincipal part of the men here are used to the pick and shovel. Mr Hunter : I have already telegraphed to Wellington to know whether I may take any more hands at the same conditions and, same rates of pa}’, but I have not got an answer yet. I may bo able to lot you know to-morrow, and possibly this afternoon ; that is for those who would be willing to go on these conditions. Mr Baldwin :■ I think the local men ought to have a chance—those who like to go to work at that price ; because it is bringing a lot of strange men here, and taking the work away from those living in the place. Mr Hunter : Until I get an answer to that telegram, I cannot say anything. Mr Baldwin : I don’t think the Government know how we arc situated here. A man who came from Wanganui sa} - s !! If we get to Patea there will bo any amount of work.” Mr Hunter : Yes, there is a good-sized contract to be started here shortly. Mr Baldwin : It will bring a lot more hands here besides what have been sent hero, and the place will be flooded witli labor, whereas there is not labor enough for those who arc hero. There are 18 of us.

Mr Hunter: If you will look in to-mor-row, I may be able to let you know something definite. The deputation then withdrew.