IN CATHEDRAL SQUARE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 20, 23 July 1909, Page 8

IN CATHEDRAL SQUARE.

I "WE WANT WORK." [BX TELEGRAPH — PRIISS ASSOCIATION.! CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. At half-past ten o'clock several of the unemployed leaders gathered in Cathe-dral-square with a spade and a banner inscribed, "We want work !" Soon a crowd gathered, and two constables joined the crowd, this attracting more people. The constables asked for the ringleader, and were told thero was none, but that the iwan had combined to hold a demonstration for the purpose of obtaining work. The constables said there conld be no procession without a permit from the City Council, and that if they, did march a prosecution would follow. The men then decided to approach the council. The council officers informed them that no permit would be available for some days. T.hey then decided to parade the* streets and to chance arrest. / One man said that if he were in gaol the Government would have to keep him, which would be just as well as doing nothing. The constables took the names of four men in the event of a prosecution being held. The men said the procession would happen in spite of the law. Returning to the Square, a large crowd gathered, and one man, mounting a packing-case, said it was impossible to get a permit. The City Inspector said a permit would be available if the Mayor was interviewed before twelve o'clock. The men decided to apply for one, and if it was not granted to hold* \a procession all the same. It was decided to meet again at 2 o'clock. \ ' Later. To-day the Mayor granted the unemployed a permit for a procession, conditionally on no banners beyond those inscribed "We want work" being carried, and'" that the procession was conducted in an orderly fashion. Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P., received a telegram to-day from Mr. Carroll, in reply to a request that the Government would help the Christchurch unemployed, stating that the Government could not subsidise local works, but was doing the best it could as far as publi." works weie concerned. The matter of the local works mentioned had been referred to the Minister for Works.