SECOND EDITION Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878.] TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1894. THE "UNABLE."

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4727, 22 May 1894, Page 2

SECOND EDITION Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878.] TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1894. THE "UNABLE."

- We publish a speech by Mr Jolm 0 Webb in another column which Ims J been addressed to the "unable" ofJ' Wellington, not because we endorse ti t the sentiments which ho expresses, but rather to let those who are in trouble say what they can on their i own behalf, and, if possible make o some suggestion which will be of t advantage to them. • Mr Jolm Webb n is taking the unemployed of Pallia- * tua, of Masterton, and of Welling- 11 ton under his win". He may do good or harm, but his intentions are j undoubtedly good, and he is sincere in trying; to .help those who are in J distress. We have known him for a j considerable number of years, ftiul have regarded him as one of those people who do not make headway in c this Colony.' The ordinary Colonial is a man who goes slogging aloirj on j perfectly independent lines, and who [, '' in most cases holds his own, But there aro somo men so constituted j n that they are unable to keep their r heads above water or to shoulder 'J d theiiMvay in ncrowd. There is, as s it were, an " unable " class, and at (1 some periods of liis career Mr John 11 Webb has been.more or less identified with it, and this in spite of tho li c fact that he possesses considerable J mental ability. He is now endeavor- f ing to do something for the "unable" men in tho community, audit may 0 be that he, knowing their needs and v requirements, may Win a measure (i successful. The "unable" in the i g Colony ought not to bo allowed to 5 govern the" able." Too much mischief has already arisen from an il attempt made in this direction, but j the " able" are very willing that the j " unable" shouldhave a fair field and ] e every chance of helping themselves, n The problem in this Colony is not I how the "able" are to live. Turn an I able man out into the street in the '■ morning without a sixpence, and j" i, before night ho will have picked up ' a job and earned money. Tho difficulty is for the "unable"to get along, and towards these the" able" q are kindly disposed. For oxampje, F Mr John Webb, instead of going .to | the Premier, or the Minister of n Mischief, or the Minister of Muddle, gl '' asks Mr W. H. Beetham for tho use of a shelter shed for a hundred 4 ] • unemployed, and Mr Beetlmm ap- P pears to have lent tho premises to jj him. Tho fact is, when real help is n wanted by the " uuable " men they • go straight to men like Mr Bebtham. f, Mr John Webb knew what, he was oi about when lie made the request. Wo 1,1 are aware that Mr Webb's project 0| has been subjected to a certain degree of ridicule, and that the local Government organ lms made little ' jokes about the unemployed being m boiled down, but we do not feel w disposed to treat with levity the , distress of our fellow men, or any honest effort which is made to gj : relieve it, Mr Webb may be mis- or taken, or misguided, but ho is at '° least striving to alleviate the nils. H fortunes of the "unable"-in the gJ community. One of the poorest in o tho community is trying to help the ar poor, and such a man is entitled i to respect and sympathy, J