THE UNEMPLOYED.

Evening Star, Issue 6843, 5 March 1886, Page 2

THE UNEMPLOYED.

In consequence of two of the “ unemployed ” engaged on the Cumberland street extension work having been dismissed therefrom, because they were not residing in Dunedin, Mr Ross, M.H.R., yesterday telegraphed to the Premier as follows ;—“ Two married men, who have families, and who are, I am informed, wellbehaved, though poor, have been dismissed from the works in Dunedin provided for the unemployed, on the ground of non-residence. Both these men reside in the suburbs. Is it the intention of the Government that this distinction should be made, the cost of the work being borne by the Colony ?” To this Mr Ross to-day received the following reply: “If the men you wired the Hon. Mr Stout about cannot get work in Dunedin, let them apply to Mayor of Maori Hill, as we are putting some work in baud in that district. I am now wiring the Mayor of Dunedin, as of course if the Government had heard any distinction would be made on the score of residenoe. The works we are doing are all such as can be at once stopped so soon as Parliament can make other provision.—Ed. Richardson,”

This morning the Mayor received a telegram from tho Minister for Public Works asking whether he could not find work for all the unemployed hero, no matter whether they belonged to Dunedin or the suburbs. Mr Barnes replied to the following effect:—“l am making arrangements for all unemployed. No distinction or selection has been made, Men non-resident in tho City bringing certificates from the Mayor of their district at once taken on. A temporary stoppage took place on one portion of the works, but that has been settled, and all will be put on in a day or two and kept at work for a fortnight certain. Will telegraph fully to-morrow.”