THE UNEMPLOYED.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2335, 10 September 1877, Page 3

THE UNEMPLOYED.

TUB meeting of Saturday last of what was termed the "Unemployed" was little better than a farce from beginning to end. It commenced with a row, and ended in smoke. The meeting was commenced at half-past eight, and Mr Staines was voted to the chair. He apologised for being in that position, as he had been invited. After a few remarks, he read the resolutions passed at their previous meeting ; arid said that he thought the Mayor and some of the Council ought to have been present, and condemned in rather strong terms the conduct of the Mayor towards the working classes. As for himself he would always stick to the work-

ing men so long as they kept sober and conducted themselves properly. Ho did not approve of the borrowing policy : the millions ought to have been spent in public works in Auckland. Had it been spent here, Auckland would now be a happy city. The publican, baker.

and butcher ought to have been .present, and countenanced this meeting- (A Voice : The wrong night.) Mr Staincs read the Mayor's letter, which was insulting to then". (A Voice : I wish you was the Mayor). (Enthusiastic cheering). When he was connected with city affair3he was not unmindful cf the working classes.

The letters fro n the Mayor were as follows

"Auckland, Bth September, 1877.—Sir,—By advertisement I notice that another meeting of unemployed is convened for tins evening. As I

shall not be thera, and as I presume you will be present, it O3curs to me that the notion of the meeting might be influenced by the contents of a letter just received from the Government

eopv whereof I beg herewith to enclose.—l have the honour to be, sir. your obedient servant, (Signe 11W. J. Hurst, Mayor. Mr Geo. Stainef, Chairman of rhe recent of the Unen:-

ployed. Auckland." Colonial Secret iry's ollkc, Wellington, New Zealand, 28th AUimst, 1577. Sir, I have the honour to acknowL.-dge the receipt of your letter of r.hp date d . ulad in the margin, requesting that tenders fa1 ■ he extension of the Mercer railway to th-- <.' ■ ••■n-suvei wharf fit Auckland may he imjv,; ; uif..ely called for, and in reply, ani'directed 1... Colouial Sdcr :tiiry to inform your VSot '■ that the Government are prepared to w icrtake the work so soon as the accessary funds are voted by the House? of Kepreaeutat v-.'S. I have lbs honour to be,fsir, your most obed.e it servants G. S. Cooper.—W< ',!. Hurst, Xi!!.. Mayor of Auckland. YTellinut n.

Mr James ilurke spoke at some length, and moved " That the Auckland members of the House of Representatives be requested to urge on the Government the immediate necessity ot' opening up public works for the benefit of the unemployed: that the Government should at once open the remainder of the Kaipara railway and reclamation works, and disallow all sub contracts. The speaker complained that the want of work was due to the notion of certain contractors. Mr Dempsey had -£17,000 to £18.000 worth of work locked up, which might have been carried on: GO or 70 men at least could have bean kept employed there, raid who was to blame > The press was again 31 their interests in stating that there was plenty of work, but he could nor. sec it. The labourers had multiplied, and work had not increased in proportion. He learned that 5,000 more immigrants v. ere likely soon to throng our shores, but what they wore to do was beyond his comprehension (A" Voice: Break stones, to be sure).

Mr Latherum then rose in a very excite-d manner, and threw his arms about violently, and began to declaim against long hours, when the noise became so great, the stamping and screeching so furious, that lur Latherum left the platform and resumed his pipe. The chairman desired the friends to be at poaca, to conduct themselves like men, and remember that they were within the sacred precinct s of the Young Men's Christian Association (great laughter). Gentlemen, if you don't be quiet, I shall vacate the chair, and leave th:s meeting.

A. Voice : Don't desert the working classes.

George. The Chairman was understood to say that he would not if they bshaved themselves.

Mr Naylor was the next speaker, and vindicated himself from the charge of panderin? to the Maj*or in his mission. When he waited on the Mayor with the memorial, the latter tanped him on the shoulder, and requested him to take no further proceedings —that there would benlenty of work in a short time, lie had been received csnrteonsly by the Councillors. He thought the action of the Mayor in refusing to forward the resolutions of the last meeting mixht arise from the fact that two resolutions passed at that meeting were made in^o one.

Mr Samuel i-vout made a sensible speech, and urged the men to be true to themselves, and cultivate the principle of true manhood. If a man was honest to himself, he would be honest to his employer ; he concluded his utterances with "God bless you all."

Mr Whitcomb in a brief speech declared that he was emphatically and unmistakably a working man. but he did not conic out here to plough, or dig. or play the tool. (A Voice : What the de'il did you come out here for. to be a snob or what?) Coafusion immense, amid which Mr W hitcomb sat down.

The Chairman again endeavoured to restore order.without success, amid hovylings and hootings, the room being in a fog with the smoke of about 50 pipes going at puffing speed. Chairman : I've got my eye on two or three of you, and if you don't bo quiet, down stairs you go. (Immense cheering, with '" put 'em out, George, put'em out." The Chairman said their conduct was disgraceful, and they must go out." Mr Thomas Skillion then rose, and said ho had a vote of censure to pass on the Mayor, which he read—" I beg to move a vote of: censure upon the Mayor, for the unmanly way in which he has treated the resolutions, and for bis seeming contempt of the working classes in general." (Cheers.) The Chairman: Will anyone second this resolution?

A voice from the lower end of the room : ' I will." " What's your name?" " McNiccol, a working man." Mr Tremain thnn stepnod upon the platform, and expressed his desire to say a few words or encouragement to them ; and began by referring to the Chairman's opening speech, which Lit; thought was not exactly the thing. It was not the duty of a Chairman to influence or bias a meeting in any direction, but to conduct it impartially, and (Hero the utmost confusion prevailed, with •'pat him down, he's got a yood biilet, he don't understand."

The Ghaimisn then slooii up, and with some warmth said, friends, hav3 I not always conducted your meetings properly I

•• You have, George." "Have I ever endeavoured to mislead y ;ti at your meetings ?" " You have not, George." Several other similar questions were} put, and the Chairman having vindicated his characte" as Chairman, comparative peace was restored. Mr Tremaiu however, found it impossible to proceed, and left the stage. At this moment one of the audience carefully laid his short pipe on his scat and said he had foniething to say— PKtform, platform. Go on Patrick. Mr O'Brien then got up (lie was evidently far JBne in liquor) 8 v.d declared himself an American citizen, although he wag one of the O'Briens but was not ar; i rishman. (Roars of "out with it, CBrien,'") v.'hen tlie speaker, having duly scratched liis uearl. avowed that the ballad, was Corn, he had lost bis speed). However, he said "Be united, boys ; strike Lor your rights, but shed no blooS." (Storms of laughter). A working man then proposed a vote or thanks to the Chairman, whom he characterised as '• a patriot, a citizen, and a man." The Chairman replied, and the meeting, reduced from 70 to 30 separated.