THE UNEMPLOYED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2255, 29 July 1908, Page 2

THE UNEMPLOYED.

STATEMENT BY SALVATION ARMY OFFICER. SOUP KITCHENS TO BE OPENED. [Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, July 28. Out of forty- one men to whom passes to Broken River' were issued for use on .to-day’s train, seven failed to uso them. This morning only about half-a-dozen more applications for work were received at the Labor Bureau. Brigadier Albiston, of the Salvation Army, informed a reporter today that the Army had been endeavoring to locate tlie alleged distress referred to by speakers at recent meetings in the Square, but far without success. Tho Army officers were practically ready to do all in their .power to alleviate any deserving eases .if they could only get in touch with them. The statements have been made that there were families in want of food, and Brigadier Albiston states that on Thursday arrangements will be made to dispense hot soup and provisions at tlie Army headquarters in Victoria Street. A WELLINGTON DEPUTATION. THE PRIME AIH\ ASTER’S REPLY. [Press Association.] ... AA r ELLINGTON, July 28. Two or three hundred alleged unemployed, met at the Queen’s Statue and passed resolutions condemning the action of the Government in advertising in England- reports calculating to give wrong impressions to intending immigrants, and * calling for the*cessation of immigration ;also, that the Government should take immediate steps to alleviate the distress through the lack of employment. After a procession through the streets, ia deputation waited on thePrime Minister. Mr. D. McLaren, secretary of the AViiterside AA’orkers’ Union, said that there were' about 1600 names on the Union’s hooks, but the number of men who made anything like a living did not exceed 600. Men unable to get work at. their ordinary callings Hocked to the wharf, and made the state of affairs there more and more desperate. Day after day, and week after week, lie came across pitiful destitution. There were about 300 names on the list which Iliad been handed to Sir Joseph, but lie believed the number of men who were earning little or nothing was double that figure, Sir Joseph AA'ard said the representations of the speakers would be fully considered by himself and his colleagues. He and the Government were in full sympathy with the people in distress. . Regarding immigration, he'was not in favor of any kind that would be likely to disorgahiso the labor market. If the new arrivals were not being legitimately absorbed, the Government would take steps to stop tho immigration as far as possible. If there was any aggravation of the unemployed problem, it was duo to tho arrivals from Australia and not from Britain. The Government would not help this class of unemployed at the expense of New Zealanders. Since 1904 the immigrants from Great Britain included 1883 farmers and farm laborers, and 1660 .navvies and domestic servants. The total number of people who might possibly be considered to influence tho labor market was 196". This number included some artisans, but tlie men were mostly farm laborers. The total capital brought in by immigrants since 1904 was £389,660. He submitted (that high rents were responsible for much of tlie suffering here. He was sure that the tremendous increase in the cost of building was out of proportion to tlio rates of wages. The Government 'had tried to get land for workers’ homes,, but had been unable to secure it at a reasonable rate. The AA T atorside AVorkers’ Union should not bavo 600 men beyond the capacity of the wharves to furnish labor. 'The 600 should seek openings elsewhere. A man. who said lie was “one of the six hundred,” said be was willing to work at anything, but couldn't- get nothing to do. The Premier replied that he would take their names. The Minister for Railways bad said that he wanted men for railways, and men were wanted for roads. The AA r ell'ington labor bureau had 70 names of unemployed on its books, but all the men wanted road work in Christchurch, Dunedin, Timaru, and Auckland. The position was not nearly so bad, as it bad been represented to be recently. The Government could .not get at Timaru more than 17 men to go to work that was open to them. , The Government would do all in its power to assist men to got employment.