The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1885. WANT OF EMPLOYMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1379, 15 August 1885, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1885. WANT OF EMPLOYMENT.

At the last meeting cf the Temuka Road Board the Rev. Mr Hamilton, in the capacity of Secretary to the Bene* volent Society, waited on the Board to bring under the notice of its members the destitute condition of the families of some ot the working men of Temuka. He urged there were several families in absolute want of the bare necessaries of life ; and that the Benevolent Society did not feel disposed to assist, except in ease of sickness, or where a family had been deprived of its bread-winner by death. Under existing circumstances men were unable to find employment, and consequently their families were in want of the necessaries of life, and he suggested that the Board should find these people employment and that the Benevolent (Society should pay them. He explained that this system would have the effect of getting public work done for the public money expended by the Benevolent Society, while the men themselves would thus be enabled to feel that they had worked for anything they had received. There can be no doubt but that this idea was based on sound principles. To make these men work for what they get is calculated to inculcate industrious habits : to give them assielance for nothing would have a demoralising effect upon them. How anyone could possibly object to such a proposal as this is incomprehensible, except on the ground of whether the Benevolent Society was in a position to pay the men after they had done the work; but, of course, that is the Society’s own business. It appears, however, that Mr Goodey does not approve of this system. In his letter, published in our issue of the 11th inst., he says that it is a monstrous proposal to ask men to work for money collected for the pcor. No doubt Mr Goodey thinks it great cruelty. It would suit hisconstitution much better to get things without having to work for them, but very few, except persons of the same stamp, will agree with him. There is not a decent working man in this or any other town but would rather work for anything he got than have it said of him that he was living on the charity of his neighbors, and consequently we anticipate that very few will sympathise with Mr Goodey. As regards his assertion that the establishment of the Society has prevented the Government from giving work, it is simply nonsense. The Society was established to relieve distress brought on by sickness or death, and not distress arising from want of employment, The establishment of the Benevolent Society has had nothing whatsoever to do with relief works not having been set on fool here, but we feel inclined to think that Mr Goodey’s conduct has had a great deal to do with it. He called a public meeting to urge the cutting up of reserves, and instead of trying to get the assistance of the leading men of the district he made it a point to insult them. If the working men, instead of taking this course, bad requested Mr Gray to call a meeting, he would undoubtedly have done so, and if a representation of a meeting thus constituted had been forwarded to the Government, they would have provided work for unemployed men. Mr Steward a month ago got £IOO for the Boiough of Wairaate lor the purpose of giving employment, and if proper i representations had been made to Mr | Rolleston he would have done the same. | It the working men take our advice they will now request Mr Gray to call a ' public meeting, and when it is called

they will come to it prepared to show that they cannot get employment, If they take this course and cease to be led by Mr Goodey, we feel confident that employment will be provided for such as are in want of it. [Since the above was written we learn that Mr uray has telegraphed to Mr Rolleston on the subject, and we feel pretty well certain that gentleman will do his best.]