THE UNEMPLOYED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2550, 10 July 1909, Page 5

THE UNEMPLOYED.

THE POSITION 'IN GISBORNE.

SOUP KITCHEN ESTABLISHED.

The question of lack of employment is assuming grave dimensions all over the Dominion, and the accounts of the distress existing in many Centres disclose a rather alarming state of affairs. The position in Gisborne, while not so grave as is said to be the case in other places, is sufficiently sen ops to attract the attention of the philanthropic bodies and the municipal authorities, although as yet no resident of Gisborne has been compelled to seek temporary relief for himself and family owing to want of work. There are, certainly, a great many men out of employment, but in the~mujority of cases they are single men. “People K have not got the slightest idea of the amount of distress existing in the town,” said Adjutant Meucshain, of the Salvation Army, talking the matter over with a ‘‘Times” representative yesterday, ‘‘and we are being taexd to "our utmost to provide for even the most needy cases. However, the majority of the cases we have dealt with are those of strangers to the town who have come here on the chance of obtaining work.” During the past few weeks the Adjutant says that dozens of men, praTcicaliy starving, have been provided with meals and beds, and in some cases have been assisted to return to the towns from which thev came. Une particularly hard case was mentioned, that of o young man just out from Home about three months. Attracted to New Zealand by the glowing accounts of the countrv being circulated in London, this young man left his employment as a rivetter and sailed for Wellington. Landing there with 25s ui ids pocket, his hopes of speedily obtaining employment were soon dashed to the ground, and he was compelled to leave the town for the country. He has walked rightthrough to Gisborne, and with the exception of three weeks’ work has been unable to obtain employment, although in many places offering his services just for his keep until the labor conditions improved. Here in Gisborne his illluck has still attended him, and although willing to work for “tucker” only cannot obtain it, and has had to apply to the Army for help. Another case being assisted is that of a young woman, whose husband, evidently being unable to find worn, has gone away from the district and left her lying in the hospital unprovided for. He lias not been heard of for some time, and the unfortunate woman is being cared for by the Army. The case of a young and strong man, who came from Auckland recently seeking employment, is another illustration of the existing distress. He came to Gisborne with a few shillings in his pocket, anxious and willing to work, and professedlv a tee-fotaiier, and altogether a steady, young man. Application to the Labor Bureau resulted in' failure, as only married men are being sent to the Government works. Other requests, for work of any sort, also failed, and his money dwindled away, leaving him penniless in town and still no work offering. A restaurant-keeper, who also has accommodation for boarders, and whose premises ax'e situated in Gladstone Road upon being interviewed, told the reporter that it 15 surprising the number of men who cannot obtain, not alone work, but food. He also is of the opinion that the most acute distress exists amongst strangers to the town. Many of these recent arrivals are hard-working men from other towns who, when work got scarce in their native place came here as a last resort-, having been led to understand that “things were good” in Gisborne. He relates how one evening recently he was sitting in the back of his establishment when he heard a slight clatter in the front shop. On going out to see 1 the cause of the disturbance, he discovered no person there, and the only thing missing was a mate which, containing some eatables, had been placed in the front window. 1 didn’t mind much,” he added, “as it was evidently some poor fellow starving and out of work who hadn’t got the price of a meal.” Inquiry at the Borough Council office revealed the fact that at present there are over fifty persons, male and female, receiving relief from the Charitable Aid Board. Depending on these people there are 41 others, but the total does not exactly represent the number of people suffering "through lack of employment, although that reason for seeking relief has been given in several instances. Since June Ist there have been twelve additional applications, and here again men have been assisted to get away from the town, it being realised that there was no chance of their getting any work here. Notwithstanding the fact that many men have been helped to get away, it is said tp be surprising the number that still remain in town on the offchance of “something turning up.” The same faces are to be seen day after day, and occasionally the ranks are added to as some other unfortunate either conics to the town or loses any temporary employment he may have had. Realising that something must be done to -at least help tuese people to obtain food, the Salvation Army and the municipal authorities have decided to co-operate in the establishment of a soup kitchen- in Mr. Oolebrooli s restaurant, Gladstone .Road. Arrangements have been made whereby a bowl of soup and a piece of bread may be obtained for the modest sum of 3d, between the hours of I and 2 p.m. and 6 and 7 p.m." At the same time, if a man is really destitute, he will be supplied free of charge on making application to either Adjutant Melksham or Mr, It, D, B. Robinson, tlie secretary of the Charitable Aid Board. THE POSITION IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, July 9. The President of the Auckland Trades and Labor Council (Mr. T. Long) states that the unemployed position in Auckland is very acute, and that one thousand five hundred men is the very lowest estimate of the number of men out of work, and that, as & result of the continued wet weather at present being experienced, .there is a great deal- of distress. A committee has been set up for the purpose of arranging a public meeting, which all the Auckland members of Parliament will be invited to attend. WELLINGTON EFFORTS TO RELIEVE THE UNEMPLOYED. WELLINGTON. July 9. Work on the Victoria College grounds, which are to be prepared for building, will commence next Tuesday, funds being provided from the Citizens’ Unemployed Relief Fund, which is being subsidised £ for £ by the Government. The citizens’ fund now considerably exceeds £4OO, with the promises of further subscriptions. About 300 men have applied. for work.. The rate

1 of pay will be 8s per day, the men to?' be employed by the week. Preference wlil be given to bona fide residents of Wellington, while those having dependents will receive the first consideration. Collection boxes will be placed in hotels, and churches will be asked to take up special offerings towards the relief fund. Several entertainments in aid of the fund are likely to l)e held. The committee has decided that no men who have refused work offered by the Labor Department shall l)o assisted out of the relief funds. Among the subscriptions received today was a cheque of £SO. from Messrs

J. Staples and Co. 7 INFLAMMATORY SPEECHES AT CHRISTCHURCH; > i [l’iai Phicss Association.] Cin xiiSTCHURCH, July 9. A meeting of the unemployed convene ed by the Trades and Labor Council's*" unemployed committee was character-' ised by revolutionary remarks by some of the speakers, who were also members, of the Socialist party. One speaker referred to the mob that John Burns and others incited to pillage shops in the West End, London, and said that if the Christchurch CityCouncil refused to stir any quicker than, it was doing, it was likely to have greater responsibilities in the way of providing policemen and soldiers. There were some present, he added, who came from the Old Land, a number: of Scotsmen with a little blood in them, as well as a few Yorksltiremen and Lancashircmen, and if the old chums were not likely to strike, he could assure them the new chums would. (Applause.) If the men who were starving could not fight for themselves he wasprepared t-o do a little lighting in order to have their rights asserted. Another speaker said: “If I were> in the position of the men out of work I would be looking about for dynamite.”

The meeting resolved: ‘‘That the Minister of Labor be informed that the position of the unemployed is still acute, and that in the opinion of this meeting the authorities have not taken adequate steps to relieve the distress.” It was also decided to protest against the City Council’s action in using a donation for the relief of the unemployed to benefit the ratepayers by violating the minimum wage -principle; also that the local members of Parliament he asked to confer with the unemployed, on the question of the introduction of a Right to Work Bill. Several trades unions threaten secession from the Trades and Labor Council, alleging that the time is wastedin the, discussion of the Socialist questions to the exclusion of trade union business, for which alone the Council, exists. INDIGNATION AT VIOLENT LANGUAGE. The opinions expressed by a number of people in town to-day regarding some of the statements and threats made by several speakers at the meeting of unemployed on Thursday night, were in the direction that something should be done by the proper authorities to make an example of those whoselanguage may be fairly held to constitute an incitement- to breaches of the peace. To ignore or overlook some cf the strong language used is held_ by some to be almost tantamount to aiding; and abetting those who, at least, suggest recourse to unlawful methods.

SOCIALISTIC MEETING AT DUNEDIN. DUNLIN, July 9. A meeting of unemployed members of the combined building trades unions was held this afternoon in the Trades Hall. About 250 men were present, a large number being comparatively young men. Some of these present, it was afterwards ascertained, were general laborers, and not connected with building trades. The first speaker, J. W. Warren, after expressing the opinion that it was a disgrace that such a fruitful country as this should be plunged into the unemployed problem, proposed a. very long motion., the substance, of which was that under an intelligent system of industry, employment, the means of production and the distribution of wealth would be for consumption, and not for monetary profit, arid? that the Government should take action to bring about, upon scientific lines, 'the organisation of industries with the object of ultimately bringing into operation a socialised system of production for universal benefit and not individual profit. The motion was carried unanimously.

The chairman asked the. carpenters present to put up their hands, and about fifty responded. Forty-two held up their hands as having been out of work for a week, ten from" two to three weeks, and eight for a month. Twentyeight painters signified that they had been out of work for a week and six for a month. Twenty-four building trade laborers and ninety general laborers stated they were out of work.

Further resolutions were passed urging the Government, tne City Council, the Harbor Board, and all local bodiesto push on all available work in order to relieve distress, and expressing regret that members of Parliamentshould have consented to the prorogation of Parliament.

The question of forming an Independent Labor party was left to the Trades Council.