A CRY FOR WORK OR BREAD.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 187, 3 March 1893, Page 6

A CRY FOR WORK OR BREAD.

Tbc misery of the unemployed Belgian workingmen had a forcible illustration in the city of Brussels last month, and at the same time the Government received a warn ing that something must be done to help the starving thousands who are reaching the stage where revolution means bread to them. Two hundred and fifty men who find it impossible to procure food for them selves and their families arrived in Brussels from Ghent, Ghent lies thirty one miles to the northwest of Brussels, and every man in the crowd had walked the entire distance. In ordinary weather this would not be remarkable, but in the phenomenally cold weather now prevailing, and with the roads buried in snow, it is strange how the ill-fed and scantily-clothed men managed to traverse the distance. They were deeply in earnest however, in their determination to call tbe attention of tbe government to their condition, and such matters as cold weather and deep snow were not allowed to stand in the way of accomplishing their object. Word of tbe coming of the crowd was received long before they reached the city, and when they did arrive they were greeted by hundreds of idle workingmen of Brussels. The two crowds joined and paraded the streets, calling the attention of the well-to-dc to their miserable clothing and halfstarved appearance A significant feature of the parade wee the chanting of revolu—- ■ gs, which were sung with a fervor tui,c showed that it wocld require but little to fan the embers of insurrection >nto an open flame. So apparent was this fact that no attempt was made by the authorities to stop the parade.

Finally the crowd brought up at tha Ministry of Public Works, and eight men who were appointed a committee demanded an interview with the Minister. Their demand was acceded to and the men were ushered into the office. They told the Minister that they, their wives, and children were actually starving, and through no fault of their own. They were willing and anxious to work, tut no employment could be found. They therefore in their distress appealed to the government to do some thing to aid them. The Minister of Public Works listened attentively to the statement of the committee. He promised to expedite the extension of work in his department and thus furnish employment to a large number of men. So serious was the outlook when the crowd took possession of the streets that the whole force of the gendarmerie were ordered to their barracks. The horses were kept saddled iu readiness for use at a moment’s notice. During the time the Committee was in the Ministry of Public Works, the procession remained on the outside singing and crying ‘ Give us work !’ 1 Give us bread !’ When the committee returned the para—decs marched to the Chamber of Deputies and demanded a hearing. The House decided to allow a committee of five to present to ihe secretaries a petition that the workmen had prepared. The petition set forth the evils suffered by the workingmen of the country and demanded that work be furnished to the unemployed. It also demanded that universal suffrage be established.

After presenting the petition the committee had interviews with the Progressist members of the Chamber, who promised their support to the men in securing their demands. The announcement by the Committee of the result of their visit to the Chamber was greetad with cheers. Toward nightfall many of the men who walked from Ghent started on foot on their leturn. Others found shelter with friends.