OUT OF WORK.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3086, 7 January 1909, Page 4

OUT OF WORK.

As Ihe winter advances unemployment in England steadily increases-. The number of trade-unionists out of work to-day is larger than for very many years. Since January the percentage of unemployed has risen from 6.2 to 9.5, or by 50 per cent. At this time last year there were only 4.7 per cent, of trade-unionists out of work. To-day the unemployed trade-unionists number 56,200, and from this it may be assumed that the unemployment of unorganised labour is very large indeed, as the unionists are as a rule the last to suffer. The engineering and ship-building trades are particular sufferers, the former having 12.7 per cent, of its tradeunionists idle, and the shipbuilding 26.3 per cent. So far the relief works initiated by the Government have had very little-effect upon the situation. It is interesting to notice that the working men at Hampstead are giving a lead by making a systematic attempt to feed the children of the unemployed in their district during the winter. Without outside support they have foimcd a ommitt<?e to raise among.it themselves sufficient lands to supply food and various en''3rliinme.it" to a considerable number of children.