THE UNEMPLOYED.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 751, 23 July 1886, Page 30

THE UNEMPLOYED.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.! Auckland, July 21.

At the meeting of unemployed this morning 500 were present, Mr H. Farnall presiding, A resolution waa adopted—“ That the time has come when the Mayor, in bis official capacity, should use every effort to procure work and obtain help from Government to relieve the prevailing distress.” The meeting marched in procession to the Telegraph Office, where tbe Chairman sent tbe following telegram to the Government : —“ 750 unemployed, many of them on the verge of starvation ; want immediate relief, and wait your answer.’ The procession then went through the principal streets. There were many respectablelooking men in its ranks, A large committee has been appointed, and a mass meeting will be held on Friday next.” The Premier telegraphs in reply to the message from the unemployed—“ "Very sorry to learn men oat of employment. Will consult Minister of Public Work 3 and see what can be done.”

Dunedin, July 21.

A meeting of nearly 200 unemployed was again held, at which tbe Mayor and several Councillors addressed the men. These have been informed that the work provided on the Otago Central would not be open to them, but only to those at present engaged on relief works. After the meeting the Mayor sent the following telegram to the Premier :—“ At the request of a large number of unemployed present at a meeting to-day I forward by post tbe petition of 179 laborers, praying for work in town or country. There are said to bels3 wives and 467 children—total, 799 souls—stated to be on the verge on starvation. The men say six shillings per day is the least they can exist ou in the country, and nearly all are destitute of blankets and clothing. They ask as an alternative town work at four shillings if country work at six shillings cannot be promised. The Mayor also sent a private telegram the Premier, stating that the wages a-ked were not unreasonable, and that they were waiting patiently for the authoiities to do something.