THE CRY OF THE UNEMPLOYED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 87, 2 May 1901, Page 2

THE CRY OF THE UNEMPLOYED.

TO THE EDITOR. Sia, —I nm wholly in accord with your remarks in Tuesday merting's issue, in the foot-noes comment oa the letter s'gned by " Unemployed." Having had much to do with Mr. Courtney's immigrants eyer since the commencement of the enterprise, there has been abundant opportunity for observing the different types of young men who come to New Zealand. In m\ny ofthese the lack of training for the battle of life—anywhere —is unmistakable, and the wonder would be if they did t>ucoaed, while in others the greate surprise would be if they did not. One cannot help pitying the widowed mother who owdb one of these unfortunates who will never bring her any comfort or credit, simply because, lacking the grit and manly independenoe,which are the elements of success in others, the over-indulgent and unwise parents of such lads only reap as they have sown, No other proof of this is ne ded than in the confession of the young compluiner who would allow a widowed mother to sttaiten herself by sending out money for hia return, to be a further burden to her in t.he old lind, instead of taking the first pb that offers, even if it be breaking stones, if that is the only work he is found competent for, rather than hang about registry offices or get id to debt at boarding houses, waiting f;r something to turn up which he may think suitable to his dignity, and the position he aspires to by t.ome royal road which tuch as he can never find. If, among the hundreds of young men who have come ou'j through Mr. Courtney acd have secured a good footing in this free land of such great possibilities and hard work, it would be' a marvel if there were not many ne#r-da-wells, as thore have been, more especially duiiog the late years. But, as you rightly say, the work is in thes couotry, and can be found with right seekisg. Numbers of settlers were unable to save th'ir hay and grain harvests last reason in other dis'ricts, if not in Taracaki, where milkers are generally ec*rce. The work is distasteful and hard no doubt, but it won't hurt thesa unemployed if they have pluck enough to take it up with determined purpose to puccesd as oth-rs have done. Their bekted training will bs effective if they will lets it.—l am, etc., As Old r 'ov nist.