The Globe. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1874.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 146, 21 November 1874, Page 2

The Globe. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1874.

Aoaix, on a small scale, the agitation respecting the unemployed, which some y< ars ago was rife in Christchurch, has been attempted to be revived. Yesterday a crowd assembled at the Godley statue in com|)liance with an anonymous advertisement, but it waa easy to be seen that it was a desire for fun, rather than a question of obtaining employment, which drew them thither. It is to be regretted that discontented persons, unwilling to accept fair wages for up-country work, should thus create an impression that there is not work enough and to spare, for all who like to ask for if. The history of these agitations is easily told. ISome stump orator, some bush lawyer burning to display his eloquence, or, what is more likely, desiring to hoist himself into notoriety on the shoulders of his fellow workmen, makes use of them so long as it suits his purpose, and then throws them over coolly. Though agreeing that the Government agent has acted indiscreetly in pouring in people during the winter season while work is scarce, the elasticity of the province, and the developinentof its resources has been such, that they have been absorbed rapidly, and if they like to leavetownaud its fascinating influences, a fair wage and good treatment can be obtained by all. We trust that the working men —after all the mainstay and prop of the country —will not be deluded or gulled by agitators who have only their own selfish ends in view; who wish to use the masses as a stepping stone for themselves, to be kicked down when no longer required. That work in plenty exists for those who like to accept situations in the country, is proved by the facility with which newly-arrived immigrants are absorbed even in dull times, and therefore the parrot cry of " the unemployed " is not warranted in any degree. One thing we are glad to note, and that is the absence of any working men taking an active part in the burlesque of yesterday, because this is a strong argument in favour of our contention, that a man who is willing 10 work need not be idle a single day. If real distress existed, if we felt that there waa necessity for |

agitation on the part of the working man, no more fearless champion or sincere supporter would be found than ns, but when we find frothy demagogues endeavouring, by raising the popular cry of " Justice to the unemployed," to profit by practising on the credulity of the working classes, then we at once set our face against it,

and heartily rejoice that the good sense of the working classes of Canterbury succeeded in defeating the attempt.