The Unemployed in Brisbane. Brisbane, December 2.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 182, 11 December 1886, Page 4

The Unemployed in Brisbane. Brisbane, December 2.

Auiii'UTATiONot fourunoinplojed mechanics, representing about 50, who assembled outfcide the Gos r ernment cilices, waited upon the Chief Secretary on Thuieday, having been introduced by Mr 11. M Black, M.L.A. They ask that iv view of the present depression in trade tomporary relief works might be started as early aa possible, and alyu a*ki-d for the total cessation of all immigration. They poi.ited our the great dearth of employment in the colony, and advocated somo kind of protection tor all tho iron trades, and u-serted that lar^e quantities of ironwork, in tho *h"«pe of bridged, railway gate?, locomotives, and other articles required by the Government v, ere being imported, while the work-hops in the colony were idle, and men weie •walking about the streets on the \erge of starvation. They also complained of the M's-tem adopted to induce people to leave the old country, and pointed out that mechanics were led to believe that work out here was plentiful and wages high. The doputation instanced tho extent of the depression in the iron trade, and eaid that out ot 58 firms and five Brisbane foundries, only 15 are working. Sir Samuel Gritfith said that it would not do to f^top immigration altogether, but ho had given instructions That no artisan or tradesman should be allowed to cane uut without, his perunifiuii. In the matter of the protection of one industry, it wan too lartjo a question to discus* then ; but ho would s-av it was unreasonable to as>k farliamonl to prott ct one trade at the expen-o of others. Bo rfcienud the unemployed to thoimmigrarion agent, who had ttill instructions to find work for those needing it