The Star.)

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2393, 5 April 1893, Page 2

The Star.)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 1893.

'JOT OHMSTCBUBOH UNEMPLOYED.

Mtt Sbddon is dealing id the right way with tho unemployed in Cbristoharch. Hie position simply is that be regrets that say men should be oat of work, and bo oflora to tboae in Christoburch work up country, where they /can be profitably omployed. Nothing could be more reasonable or liberal tban this; nothing ponld jyelj be mpre unreasonable than the

conduct of the ; " beggars " who, contrary to the usual injunction, are " choosers," and demand that work sball be.found for them within a few hundred yards of the favorite lamp post. Some of the leaders of the unemployed are evidently of the agitator class, whose most coDgenial occupation would be gone if they were employed at honest work ; and tbe language they used towards the Government wae most offensive. These men the Minister very properly refused to see ; while to those who apparently Bhowed bona fides he gave the opportunity of work. Of 66 selected, however, only 32 went to work, a result not very encouraging to the Minister's well meant efforts. Mr Seddon may Sobo a few votes for his Government by bis firm action, but he will conserve his self-respect and gam the confidence of more than he will oftend. If he wouid go a step further, and make personal and rigid enquiry into the working of the Co-operative and Labor Bureau system, it might be hoped that his sound common sense would disoover plenty of defects that he at present will not 6ee.