THE UNEMPLOYED.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1090, 19 June 1879, Page 2

THE UNEMPLOYED.

MEETING AT CHRISTCHURCII. ' According to announcement, a meeting of the unemployed was held m front of the new Government Buildings on Tuesday afternoon. There was a crowd of about 150 persons present. Mr Lee ascended the pedestal of the lamp-post around which these meetings usually take place, and said they had been called together for the purpose of being told whai, had been done m the matter of gettiug employment from the local bodies and from the Government. He would therefore call upon the first speaker, and hoped that he and those who followed him would have a fair hearing. Hastings said he had advertised the meeting m the Press because he had been asked to do so to let them know what had been goiug on. [The speaker proceeded

to explain what action h-ul been taken, particulars of whicli have alraa'Jy appeared i.: print. J It was proposed to open subscription lists and to open a registry office. He might tell them that a deputation of them had waited upon Mr March, who told them that it was only intended to employ the single men. on the railway at Wai par*, and only such men who could fairly earn fis a day. It appeared to him that this affair of getting work was a long time m getting settled. He was very sorry they had ou the previous day missed the opportunity of interviewing the Minister of Public Works. If they had known he was m Ci.ristcburch three or four of them would have waited upon him and laid their position before him. The Government did not seem to realise the urgency of the case. The matter had now been delayed from day to day for a fortnight. It was certainly rather hard on them, but he was afraid they would have to put up., with it. This going about frdm body to body took up a considerable deal of time, and led to no practical result. Ho was sorry to see that out of those who pat down their names on the original committee only three or four seemed to take any interest m the matter. For his own part he thought day work was better than piece work and he would like to see a regular rate of wages established. Various public bodies had promised to give them employment, but did not seem to move m the matter. The Drainage Board appeared to be discharging men instead of taking them on, and the same might be said of the railway, which added to the number of the unemployed m this city. Many swaggers up country hearing that work was going to be given to the unemployed m town bad flocked towards the city, and so increased their numbers. It was all very well to tell them to go out into the country, but it was mo use their going for they could not get work if they did. It was worse m the country than it was m Christchurch. There were several cases of real distress among them, and he might instance the remarks of Cr. Gapes at the City Council the night before. He thought they were very much indebted to Or. Gapes for speaking of it m his place m the Council. It might be said that there was a Charitable Aid Board m their midst. This was true, but they did not want to become paupers. What they wanted was work j and besides that body did not look into those cases quite so much as they might do. Mr Clements then made a ioug> rambling statement. He said they had given him a few days' work, thinking- to close his mouth, but they would not do so. It was no use dilly dallying any longer. What they wanted whs work, and bread for their wives and families. The Councillors had salaries and plenty of food, and did not care for them. There was pleuty of money m the town to give them employment, and the only thing to do was to make them give ib. "if they could not get it by fair means, they must by foul. The only thing they could do was to wait for a few days longer, to'see if the authorities would give work. He dare say he, personally, could make six shillings a day on the railway, but others could not, and he did not care to be working for them as well as himself. He had been told that the Government would only employ' those who were able to do a good day's work. What then wero the others going to do 1 Let old identities step fovward and tell them. He had come to the country with a good character, but he did nob know how he should leave it, for he was determined not to starve. [A. voice— Let's stick up a bank.] He wished they would stick ib on bis back, he would find a way to go about the town with it. Mr Kent, who said he was not one of the unemployed, next addressed the meeting. He said it was nowise abusing- the present Government, who did all they could for the people. If they ousted that Government it would be a bad job, as they would then probably not get the anticipated three million loan. Thero was plenty of money m the local money chests, and it* ought to be spent to relieve the suffering poor, for they could not expect to get ifc from Wellington. There was, at all events, £100,000 or £150,000 that might be spent m improvements by local bodies. After some further remarks from other speakers, it was resolved to meet again on Saturday morning at half-past ten, and if no work was provided m the meantime, to march m procession to the public office m which Mr March carries on his duties.—' Canterbury Press.