MASTERTON UNEMPLOYED.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5033, 23 May 1895, Page 2

MASTERTON UNEMPLOYED.

Resolutions to the Government.

A most orderly meeting of respect-ablo-looking working men, was held at tho Tcmperanco Hall, Masterton, this morning, about forty being present at the opening, and over sixty before the close. Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., and Mr Geo. Heron (Mayor) also attended. Mr Albert Harkor was voted to the Chair, and said, " Well, boys, woVo got the use of tin's Hall, fiom Mr Hood, for which we thank him kindly. We've met to discuss the unemployed question, and sco what can bo done to alleviato the distress. I'm not much used to this game, and would sooner work than talk, and as Mr Hogg, our Member, is here, I hope he'll give us a speech on the question."—(Applause.) Mr A. W.Hogg, M.H.8., said he was sorry to see so many able men, and anxious to get work, unemployed iu Masterton. It was desirable that any who had a grievance or distress, or had suffered hardship, to mako complaints. He thought they would agree with him, that the Government now in power, had done thoir best to ameliorate the condition of the working classes, but the general depression and bad markets they were not accountable for. As membor for the district he should like to hear experiences and suggestions from any present. He was satisfied be was addressing men who would not care to be a burden to their fellow-settlers if thoy couldget work. Perhaps good suggestions might be made. He invited them to como forward and freely express themselves, and he would ask the press not to publish names. He had had to seek work himself in days gone by, and thcro was nothing to be ashamed of. In conclusion he would like to heitr what they had to toll, and lie would then have something else to say. The Mayor endorsed the rcmniks of Mr Hogg, and promised all assistance in his power, as regards applying to the proper quarter. One speaker said that years ago [similar meetings had been held, and

a requisition mado to tho Public Works Department, He would suggest that all sign a paper to be forwarded to the Ministry. He was sure Mr Hogg would help them all he could.

Mr R, Brown, Town Clerk, said he believed that a large number of unemployed sent from tho South Island had made work more difficult to obtain in tho Mastorlon district. This should be pointed out to the Department in forwarding a requisition.

The Chairman invited those present to give an account of their personal experiences. One of those in the Hall said some of them might have a roof to cover their heads at the present time, but there was no outlook, and if men travelled, there was no chance of obiaining food. In a few days ho would have (o go away from Mastcrlon, because the whole of his money would be expended, and be knew dozens of men who were really in as bad a plight, but who would not attend an unemployed meeting like the present.

The Chairman said the facts briefly were that there was no work. Some of them had been waiting for it for months. They could not starve; the squatters had turned on them, and would not employ men from tho road; therefore, the Government must help. It was no good merely putting names on a piece of paper, and just sending it in ; but the present demonstration must show the Government that many respectable men wanted work and not charity; they did not want to bo cadging all over tho district. It

spoke badly for a young country like New Zealand that the prescnl'state of things existed. He did not agreo with the unemployed being sent up from the South Island.

_ Another speaker said lie was a single man, and not quite hard-up, having been careful, but lie was now unemployed, and knew many in distress. He thought many of the unemployed might be absorbed, if a little capital were forthcoming to start them at charcoal-burning, for instance. There were, he thought, other ways, also, of finding remunerative work.

I Another speaker eulogised Mr | Hogg, and urged that the Governjnientbe appealed to, through him. It was then moved and carried, that Mr Hogg be requested to bring tiie statu of affairs in Maslorton, under the notice of the Government, immediately, with a view to provide work for the unemployed in the District.

A second resolution that the Government bo urgently requested not to send any more unemployed from other parts of the Colony to the Wairarapa or Bush districts at the present time, was carried.

It was also resolved that a list of names be handed to the Town Clerk of those willing and anxious to obtain work,

Mr Hogg said it would bo desirable to obtain a few particulars as well as names; such as age, and as to where, when, and by whom, the applicant was last employed. He was sure no honest working men would object to this, It would also be well if the particulars of the persons dependant on them were given; not essentially that married should have a greater preference than singlo men, but because urgent cases would require to bo first dealt with. Ho was very impressed with the number of fino young men present, and was sorry to sec them out of work a single day, as enforced idloness was demoralising. He knew they were reluctant to stand up and speak, and throw out suggestions. He thought such meetings might bo avoided if the Labourßurcau's system was altered. The local agents were tho police,and working men wore reluctant and bad no right to bn asked to go to tho police for employment. (Applause). Kven if it cost the Department a few pounds more each year, a good reliable agent should be appointed in each principal wulre. The Government wore endeavouring to do their very best for the people, and grappling with the unemployed difficulty as well us possibly by settling the people oi\ the laud. He urged every young man to get on the land if possible. One reason why tho. most necessitous cases should be relieved first, and the circumstances looked into was ; that the great depression \n Ans-. i tralasiadrovemanyto^ow.Zealand's '• shores and if H, became generally J known thas a, man had only to, apply ' for relief from, the Government to get it,, they would be inundated by J ?very steamer, This rasmoro tote fowl than the few men hm the 1

South. _ Unfortunately there was little likelihood of the depression lifting at once, There were ways in which the unemployed could be assisted; charcoal burning as suggested ; the timber in the bush now M burned and wasted might be used for * firewood and house-blocks, if the railways were utilised. He would simply again remind them that it was every man's duty to, if possible, secure his little bit of land. The Government was now offering every man the opportunity of making a home. He would forward the list to the Labour Department, and would urge that something bo done to speedily as possible to relieve the present distress. The meetingthen closed with votes of thanks to Messrs Hogg and Horon, for attending. It was decided that names bo left with the Town Clerk.

Mr Hogg, in returning thankjkL' said tho meeting had been welrf conducted, and his impression was, that they had met, not to kick up a disturbance, but becauso they honestly desired work, and had ait serious difficulty to face. He woulM endeavour to forward the list, this ' afternoon.

Up to the time of onr going to press thirty-one names were placed on tho list, three of whom wero married men and'twonty-eiglit ainglo men. The majority described themselves as having been last employed in the Masterton district.