"WILL STEAL TO LIVE!"

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 54, 30 October 1914, Page 7

"WILL STEAL TO LIVE!"

UNEMPLOYED IN VICTORIA. Lately a deputation from the unam. ployed at Ballarat waited on tho Mayor of Ballarat (Councillor R Pearse) and urged that the council should find Avork for the men. Councillor Pearse said that, while he was sympathetic, the trouble Avas that thS council had no money. Voices: Borrow it, and make work then. Councillor Pearse: What's the good of taking such blooming rot ? Au Interjector: I've .seen it done-. The Broken Hill Council lias been brought to its bearings. Councillor Pearse: And you think you'll bring us to our bearings too, eh? Now, I'm not going to be leeturod by you. I hold a high and honorable positiojpr. Who put me there, do you say? Why, I put myself there. The Interjector: It was the workers that put you there, and the workers can put you out again. Councillor Pearse: I'll go to-morrow if you can find a better man. A Voice: We want work. There are GO of us who are desperate, and if Ave can't get work by fair means we'll get it by foul. Councillor Pearse expressed sympathy with the men, and promised that food should be provided if they were hungry. He also promised to write to the Premier (Sir Alexander Peacock), with a view to getting Government assistance. The same deputation subsequently waited on Sir Alexander Peacock. Cr. Pearce, who was present, said lie hoped they would be a little more, rational than they were on the previous occasion. Sir Alexander Peacock expressed regret that such a meeting was necessary. In regard to the unemployment, the Premiers of all the States were trying to" deal with the problem. But, in addition.to the war there was the worst drought that Ave had ever had. Ho would be glad to listen to any suggestions. A Voice: If I can't get work I'm going to steal. Sir Alexander Peacock: What? The Same Voice: Going to steal to live! Noav, Avhat are Ave going to do? Sir Alexander Peacock: Obey the hiAvs of the land. Voices: Yes, and starve. No, never! Sir Alexander Peacock, after demanding that the men should put thencase in a more respectful manner, said that authority had been given by Parliament to borrow. Bad as the po-. sition might be here, it Avas worse in the north-west of Victoria, where things Avere most acute.