REPORT OF UNEMPLOYED.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 123, 16 June 1870, Page 7

REPORT OF UNEMPLOYED.

Mr Haughton presented the report of the Unemployed, which was as follows :—: —

Tour Committee having most carefully considered the subject referred to them, desire to report as follows : — Ist, That the petition is not signed by employed " labourers, mechanics, and artizans" only, as stated in the preamble thereof. Many of the signatures have been found upon enquiry to be those of storekeepers and publicans, who signed, as some of them state in their evidence, entirely under a misapprehension. Tour Committee call attention to this matter, as the custom of signing petitions without understanding their intent, and in many cases without perusal, is not only an affront to the Council, but calculated to injure the cause of hona fide petitioners. 2nd, .That a portion of the evidence taken by your committee is to the effect that there are at present more than the usual number of unemployed in Dunedin, and this is attributed to the general depression of trade, and the low price of agricultural produce, which precludes the employer from paying the ruling high price of labour. Another cause suggested is the expectation of the commencement of the Port Chalmers Eailway works. 3rd. That there are at present more artizans, especially those connected with the building trade, in Dunedin than are able to find work. The wages of this class appear to be very high ; but this may be attributed to the casual nature of their employment. Mr Henry Dillon stated in his evidence, tiiat the masons, some of whom he was authorised to represent, where willing to take regular work at a much lower rate. 4th. That at present, as at all times in a city like Dunedin, there are a number of persons in a chronic state of unemployment, who prefer a day's work now and then at a high wage to steady employment; and that these men set their faces decidedly against any reduction in the present daily rate of wage, which enables them to support themselves for a week by casual work for two or three days. sth. That there appears to be no doubt that agricultural labourers, up to their work — steady men — can now, and at any time, obtaiu employment — although the Committee regret that there is a prejudice amongst many farmers against employing married men with families, which may account for a small percentage amongst the present unemployed. 6th. That there is a remarkable unanimity on the evidence, to the effect that a large additional number of farm labourers could be employed were the wages reduced to LlOa year and rations, and that generally the present price of labour, taken with the value of produce precludes the remunerative carrying on of agricultural pursuits. The evidence also shows that there is a large and increasing demand for female domestics 7th. That your Committee desire to express their opinion that the present general depression in the various trades and industries arises in no small degree from the ruling excessive rate of wages, which renders production unremunerative to the employer and the capitalist. The evidence to this effect is conclusive. Pursuits are stated to have been abandoned and new enterprises checked lor no other reason than that all chance of profit would be eaten up by wages. Bth. That a general labour agency in Dunedin, with branch offices in country towns, might advantageously be established, and the telegraph might be made use of for the purpose of communication between them. Tour Committee suggest that a sufficient sum be placed upon the Estimates with the view of testing the scheme during the ensuing year. 9th. That in order to provide for persons who may be unable to obtain employment, although willing to do so, the Government should offer such work upon the roads or otherwise as may be in their power, or I small contracts at rates calculated to yield ss. per day. 10th. That your Committee agree with the petitioners, " That a healthy stream of immigration" is desirable, and they see no reason to recommend the Q-overnment to appropriata the L 12,000 already voted to any other purpose. C. E. Haughton, Chairman. He also presented the report from the Lake Wakatip Commission. Mr Ashcroft suggested that the report and the whole of the evidence should be printed" It was a very exhaustive report, and would at once set at rest the question between employers and employed, and be an answer to what had been stated by damagogues in Dunedin. The report and evidence were ordered to be printed.

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