THE UNEMPLOYED.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9364, 13 March 1896, Page 6

THE UNEMPLOYED.

The following letter has been received from the Premier in reply to the communication with regard to the unen:ployed eddreeeed to him by the city and suburban members of the House of Representatives:— , _ , Premier's Office, Wellington, March 9tb, 1896. — Gentlemen,—lv reepeot to your communication of February 28th, in reference to the unemployed in Christchurcn.l have the honour to inform you that the matter has been carefully considered by the Government. Wβ regret to hear tnat the Mayor should have stated that no help was to be expected from the municipal authorities, seeing that such a conclusion is abrogating the functions of the local authorities. Aβ regards the recommendations made by the members in the memorandum under reply,— (a) Expenditure by co-operative system on the Springfield end of the Midland railway.—We na ve no plans for this work. They are in the possession of the Company, and it is not likely that the Company will band them over to the Government. lam informed by the best authority that before any earthworks would bo available there is a large viaduct to be constructed. 1 am enquiring as to whether any more men can be put on at the Jackson's end of the line.

(b) The establishment of a State farm in Canterbury to absorb men.—lnquiries are being made as to obtaining land suitable for a village settlement. The difficulty at the present time is that we cannot compul■orily take land within the five mile limit of the city- So soon, however, as a suitable piece of land is obtained we will do our best by this means to partially meet the difficulty which you have brought under our notice. (o) The establishment of village and homesteadeettlements in Canterbury.-Nego-tiations are proceeding for the obtaining of lands under the Land for Settlement Act, and a certain portion of the Highbank Estate has been set apart for the establishment of a village settlement. (d) The location of men on unoccupied railway reserves.—The Minister of Bailways v making inquiries, but, so far, he fears that the lands available are ton far out of town to be of any service. Where any land, however, is suitable and can be utilised favourable consideration will be given to the proposal. In conclusion, I must express the concern of the Government at so many men being out of employment and in necessitous circumstances so soon after the grass-seeding and harvesting. Many men, we are informed, have only just returned from the harvest fields. We are also informed that good money has been made by the grassseeding and harvesting this year, and for the men to be in neoessitoue circumstances now ■hows an entire want of thrift. It would appear as though they spent the money just as they earned it, relying too much upon the Government and too little upon individual exertion and thrift to make any provision for a rainy day. The policy of the Government in respeoc to the unemployed was laid down by mc to a deputation which waited upon mc at Chriatcburoh last spring, and from that policy we see no reason to depart.-1 have the honour to be, &c, R. J. Sbddon. —To Messrs J. Joyce, G. J. Smith, W. W. Collins, C. Lewis, G. W. Russell and W. W. Tanner, Eiqs., M.H.R.'s, Christchurch.