WORK AND WAGES.

Evening Star, Issue 9721, 1 June 1895, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES.

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE UNEMPLOYED.

In order to make room on co-operative contracts for as many-of the unemployed as possible during the winter months, the Government have decide! to reduce the working time for each man to four or five days. Mr Pinker ton, M.H R., yesterday telegraphed to the Hon. the Premier:—" In view of the number of unemployed now seeking work some of them might be employed at stone-breaking on the Port Chalmers road. Will you give this matter consideration ?" A Christchurch telegram says that a meeting was held there last evening of representatives from the various organisations to consider the unemployed question. It was resolved to ask the Government to take immediate steps to assist the unemployed by subsidising the local bodies and opening up lands for settlement. We understand that correspondence is passing between the local office of the Public Works Department and headquarters in respect to the possibility of putting some of the unemployed to. work. Perhaps by Monday or Tuesday we shall be able to make an announcement of a more definite nature. Mr Earnshaw today despatched the following further telegram to the Premier : K J. Seddon, Greymouth.—Your proposed reduction co-operators' wages 20 per cent., or five days, destroys principle co-operation you worthily instituted. You convert co-operation between State and people for reproductive works upon basis fair living wage into degraded charity system. What discrimination between men earning 2s and 10s per day ? Haviug loyally stood by you in this work, I earnestly plead with you to abandon this suicidal act. You have votes and authority to employ men until Parliament meets; then test House to reduce all of us who receive over ±'3 per week. Why thrust burden upon men in distress, and officials escape ? ioubetrav the trust given you by working men. Conduct of colleagues has neither my knowledge nor consent. Reducing wages, schedule being based upon fair private contract rates, would be termed in private employer " sweating." I have not your ear as my colleagues have, still I earnestly and honestly urge you reconsider your action.—Earnshaw, Dunedin.