THE UNEMPLOYED IN MELBOURNE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XVII, Issue 835, 18 July 1890, Page 6

THE UNEMPLOYED IN MELBOURNE.

■& — _ , ; The unemployed question in Melbourne ; is assuming a serious aspect. Ministers refused to give the men an audience, and the3 r interviewed Bishop Goe and Archbishop Carr. An open-air meeting was afterwards held in Collins street. The police and mounted troopers patrolled tho street, but tho proceedings were orderly. It is stated there are 10,000 out of work at the present moment. Regarding this matter the Star's correspondent says: — The usual winter gatherings of the unemployed have commenced in Melbourne. A deputation from them recently waited on the Minister of Public Works (Mr Patterson) to ask that relief works should be established ; but that gentleman spoke very plainly to them, pointing out that it was. no part of the Government's duty to provide work for thoso who happened to be out of employment. The result has been that strong language has been used afc subsequent meetings. As a sample of the kind of talk which is being indulged in I subjoin the , report of a speech made by an agitator: "Mr Ross felt -that they were forced to adopt a policy of desperation. Expelled by force from the Government offices, denied tho constitutional right of interviewing the Mini&ters of the Crown, they were unable to adopt any other policy. He believed in scientific looting ; and further, that if men were driven to despair, the men had a right to loot. But it was to he remembered that raids should only be made on the shops of the rich men, and not on those of the poor. It' would be well to force the gun shops first, if this could be done without bloodshed. It was useless to ask the men 1 to make themselves the possessors of muskets, as they were at present in a destitute condition. However, when tho pinch of poverty was overcome and they secured work they ought to reserve a certain sum'outof their weekly earnings for the purpose of -buying muskets. It would be well, too, if they went out into the outlying districts and there practised military drill and had firing exercise. It was the active and energetic minority who always succeeded i;i converting the negligent and easy-going majority to "a sense of their responsibilities. If 5000 well-armed and well-drilled members of the unemployed paraded the principal streets- of Melbourne they would be able to displace any Government that neglected to realise its duty'in dealingwith distress in its midst. The attention of the unemployed should also be directed to the use of dynamite, nitro-glycerine, and melinite as elements likely to aid them in their struggles against the plutocratic classes. It would be well if the men paraded the 'block,' in order to make their presence felt there; if they could not secure any aid from the Government. - It was; only by a system of continuous procession? that they would ultimately succeed in forcing -the Government to recognise their claims to State aid." ■ The unemployed continue to hold demonstrations, ' • • :■:•■■. The Salvation * Army are endeavouring to find empldyment-for< some of- those out of work, and have over 1500 names on their books. Up to the present the army has distributed 12,000 meals.