The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1888. THE UNEMPLOYED IN GERMANY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1690, 24 January 1888, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1888. THE UNEMPLOYED IN GERMANY.

While England is bludgeoning, imprisoning, sabremg, and shooting down her unemployed, for no other reason than that they hare the audacity to meet for the purpose _ of making their miserable condition known to their fellow-countrymen, Germany is treating her surplus population in a humane and kindly manner. In several parts of Germany are what are called Workmen’s Colonies, which consist of farms of land on which the unemployed are provided with work, food, and shelter. There are 16 of these colonies already in existence in Germany; some of them have as many as 300 acres of land, and one of them during the first half-year of its emtume admitted 3500 men, while last year it accommodated on an average 360 men, J be objects in view are laid down as follows “To employ industrious and unemployed men of all professims and classes, ao far aa they are really capable of work, in agrarian and other labor, until it is possible to procure them remunerative! work elsewhere, > nd to help them to quit the life of itinerants ; and also to remove the excuse of l»zy vagabonds that they have no work.” It will be easily seen that the object of these institutions is to help those who cannot well help themselves. The colony i» placed under the direc-

tion of a clergyman and the daily routine is as follows: —4.30 a.m., reveille ;sto 6, work; 6to 7, breakfast and prayers; 7 to 12, work, with, half an hour for “ second breakfast ” at 9.30 ; 12 to 1, dinner hour ; 1 to 4, work; 4 to 4.30, coffee; 4.30 to 7, work; 7to 9, tea and rest, reading, games, etc.; 9, prayer; 9.30, bed. Thus the workmen are engaged 11 hours a day for six days in the week. Sunday is a holiday. This time-table indicates one thing at any rate, and that is that the men are not 1 allowed* to starve. Another humane idea is also kept in view. As far as possible occupations suitable to the training of the colonists are provided. The men are given whatever work they can do best, the result of their labor is sold, and from the price of it the cost of their keep in the colony is deducted, the balance being put by for them until they leave. They are treated with consideration and respect —they are not made to feel that their position is one of dependence, but i the discipline is strict, and they must obey the rules of the place or else be turned out of it. The house accommodation is very good. There are dormitories, reading rooms, bath rooms, and workshops on the farm, and in these shops the various trades are represented. The keep of the men costs about 6|d ' per day each, and anything over that goes to the colonist. The correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette speaks in the highest terms of praise of the way these institutions are managed, and said the men appeared to take a real interest in their work. We have not space for a more extended account of this humane and benevolent work, but it appears to us that this glimpse of it is sufficient to show that the system is well calculated to lift up the fallen and save the unfortunate from experiencing the fearful pangs of' hunger. It appears to be conducted on humane and benevolent principles, and that all who enter it must leave it morally and physically improved and elevated* and better fitted to fight their own battles. Such is the work that has been going on in Germany for the past few years, while in England it is next door to high treason for the unemployed to make their miseries known. Can an Englishman look at the two pictures without a blush ? He has been taught to believe that England was the most humane, the most benevolent, the most Godfearing, and the most civilised country in the world; yet here when he places her side by side with Germany, and marks the difference in the way both countries treat the poor, can he anyj longer look to her with that feeling! that he was wont to ? She has abolished slavery, she has repressed aggressive tyranny, she has illumined heathen darkness with the light of the Gospel, but she has bludgeoned and sabred her own children for the offence of making known that they were hungry. England spends vast sums yearly in providing Bibles for savages, while thousands of her own sons die of starvation. To us this appears inhuman, harsh, and unnatural. Charity ought to begin at home, and English charity ought to turn its energies into such channels as German charity has. We notice that the Pall Mall Gazette, Mr Labouehere, and others, are suggesting the adoption of a system similar to the German one in England, and we trust it will be adopted before long.

LAW ANN L[BERT7 LEAGUE. li’ is a harsh commentary on British rule, under the present Conservative Government, that the English find it necessary to league themselves together for the purpose ot protecting themselves from the outrages committed under the sanction of law. On the 18th of last November, a meeting, at which Mr Jacob Bright, M.P., presided, was held in London for the purpose of forming a League to maintain the right of speech, and to protect the people from being bludgeoned to death by the police. Mr Bright said that they had had 15 years of peace, but the last 13 months of Tory Government had brought upon them much trouble and confusion. At first the people were not allowed to go to Hyde Park, but were told to go to Trafalgar Square, and now if they went to the latter place they were bound to have their heads bludgeoned by the police. Mr Stead, of the Pall Mall Gazette, said that such was the brutality of the police and the authorities that it was necessary to form a League, so that whenever unfortunate men were arrested and sworn against by police, who would swear to anything, there should be lawyers ready to defend them, and truthful, independent witnesses ready to tell the truth. They also should be ready to give bail for these men. Mr W. Saunders moved “That it is desirable that a League for the defence of violated law and‘the vindication of the . liberties of London should now be formed.” He advocated taxing ground rents, and said if people refused to pay rates to an unjust Government the police would not be so ready tp carry out such brutal orders as had been given to them on the prgyiofis Sunday. Several other sneakers the meeting, and the resolution was unanimously. I'he London correspondent Pi the Cork Examiner of Nov. 26th, says that this League has supplied 50,000 staves to Londoners to defend themselves against police brutality, so it is evident that Londoners are determined to fight for their liberties. One effect which the treatment they have been subjected to will taem

is that it will open their eyes to the way Ireland has been governed. No doubt many of those whose heads have been broken by police batons will in future be more ready to realise that starving Irishmen are deserving of sympathy under similar treatment, and will record their votes in favor of extending their liberties at the next election. There is no part of the United Kingdom so Conservative as London, and doubtless the treatment to which they are being subjected by the Conservative Government will open their eyes wider than they have ever been opened before to political realities'.