THE UNEMPLOYED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2576, 10 August 1909, Page 5

THE UNEMPLOYED.

ABORTIVE CONFERENCE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

(Per Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, August 9. A conference of representatives of the Industrial Association and the Trades and Labor Council set up to consider the solution of the unemployed question, held another meeting* tonight, when the representatives of the Trades Council brought up the Council’s resolution on the subject, declaring that the only solution of the question was the nationalisation of the instruments of production, distribution,. and exchange. They expressed, the opinion that they were "only tinkering with the subject by confining the discussion to the effect "of the encouragement of local industries on the unemployment question.

The Industrial Association’s representatives stated that the Association was not a political body,, and to discuss the matter from a political standpoint would he outside the policy of the Association. ' - . • ' It was resolved —“That this conference cannot see its way to discuss the subject of unemployment except from a political standpoint.” It was further agreed to ask the Industrial Association to instruct its delegates as to. the Trade' Council's resolution. The Trades Council’s delegates expressed tho hope that the Industrial Asssociation would widen the scope of the order of reference, so that the subject might be gone into thoroughly.

THE POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH

A party of twelve men were despatched by the Labor Department this morning to work on the Gass-Bealey section of the Midland railway. Work in connection with, the contracts recently let by the Selwyn County Council for clearing several reserves of gorse and wattle has been commenced. Some men from the city have gone on these contracts, hut it is stated that they did not belong to the unemployed class. There have, been registered t° date at the City Council the names of 307 men who are out of work, and of this number 151 have got employment on relief works. Of thirty-eight .whose names appeared on the latest posted list, sixteen have taken work. The others may have got work elsewhere.

A SOCIALISTIC RESOLUTION. At a meeting of the Canterbury ■ Trades and\Labor Council on Saturday nio-ht the ’ following resolution was carried —‘‘That this Council is of the opinion that the question of the unemployed can only be solved through .industry being organised on scientific lines," having as a basis production tor use instead of t>rofit 5 and that tins can only lie brought about by the instruments of production and exchange being in the hands of the State.. The present commercial system is, in our opinion, tlie real cause of the present unemployment, with its attendant evils.” ■ "