A HARD CASE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3572, 28 July 1890, Page 2

A HARD CASE.

Tho EM of Trades Unionism.

On Friday, a man, wlio stated he was a house-painter and a member of the-Wellington Painters'" Union, waited upon the Bev H, Van Stavoren, chairman of the Trustees of the Benevolent Society, and sought relief and advice under tho following painful circumstances. The man gave bis name and address, but for obvious reasons it would be injudicious to publish thorn.' Ho said lie landed in Dunedin in 1862, but had'resided for some time in this city.' His wife, wh|) is a confirmed invalid, is an outpatient of the Hospital, whilst he himself is suffering Irorn bronchitjs. Although not robust or well, ho is willing to work at • bis business, or ii) any other capacity; but notwithstanding he has sought employment assiduously, he is unable to obtain anything to doj The last job be bad at bis trade was nine weeks ago, since which time he has only oarnt.lOs for. playing the piane at a wedding, He has rpbW along since that time as best he may, Jjut |iis preditis nowexbausted, bp is in debt for his rent, and lift is penniless and almost starving. Ha bad this morning no food in thq house,-, and in despair applied for some relief from tbeTriistees oftke Ber nevolent Society, Questioned further by Mr Van Staveren and Mr 1. G, I Johnston, the Relieving Officer, the poor iei'iuT times,pick' \ip odd jobs at .papering and paintings but to accept these jobs whim be s breach of the. rules of his Union, and ho had reluotantiy to tleoluie any trade work unless it cams through; a "boss" pinter. He

admitted that though he was a Unioi?/ mail) and so far as ..lie had been able llifll not, applied to the Painters' Union for assistance, for, said lie, " It would be no use, they would not, give me anything." Many of his follow journeymen were awarejow destitute be was, but most of Jfem had more to do to keep them«)ive3. than they could manago. He instanced the case of a society painter—giving his name—in this city who," driven to something approaching desperaljou through want of "shop work," had taken a' pall contract on..bis- own account, aud wbo for thus violating the (Jni'on rules had been fined LIO. What the »pi licant for relief yesterday be and bis wifo were starving almost, and though lie was willing.to work, yet levies wore being made on his own and other "trade. societios in Wellington to maintain people who bad been called out on strike. Ha expressed the opinion that it _ wotr >( * \ be far better for the Trade Unions assist the more impeounious of their own membera rather than assist those of other trades who were "called out" on trade principles. . The Rev. Mr Van Stavereu instructed.-the Secretary to give tho applicant 'MI order for rations, and informed him ■ . that lie would have to work out; the valuo of tho food. -Evening »-