THE PROSPECTS OF THE WORKING CLASSES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 106, 23 August 1876, Page 2

THE PROSPECTS OF THE WORKING CLASSES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING MAIL. Sir, —I wonder if ever it occurs to those who have the management of public works in Oamaru and the surrounding district how the laboring classes are at present finding a livelihood, especially married men with families, who have to pay heavy rents, find firing, food, and clothing, and all this without a day's work to be obtained for one out of every dozen of them. This is a state of things that can be better imagined than described. Theory without practice is not sufficient. But I must not dwell too long upon this subject. Language is made for the exxvression of ordinary ideas and feelings, but there are impressions winch no words can express, and which lie hid in the silent recesses of the heart. If there are any public works that migiit be opened, the sooner the better, or else I fear there will be sad cases. All public works seem to be at a standstill in the very worst season of the year. Take for example the Waiareka Road Board. See what a havoc, if I might use the expression, has been made among men there by the caprice of some individual—all married men, too, with large and helpless families. There are only three men employed, I am informed, where there could at least be about twenty, and, thanks to the manager's economy, those three are single men. Oh, worthy manager, . what an amount of humanity you are- endowed with ! Have you ever been- in want of a day's work, with six or seven bairns crying to you for bread and clothing, and with the landlord coming to the door looking for his rent in advance, or if not, giving notice to quit.' -Oh, my dear little bairns, what will become of us. The storekeeper's bill is due ; the butcher says he will give us ho .more meat—some person Avas telling him that /your.father is out of employment; and the landlord says we must quit. Oh, humanity, I suppose they all l'at." But, my dear children' I cannsfc<help it. - I am willing* and able to wjprk/ but' there is none for me. Ido not know who is to blame : whether it is those mu to come by telling me there was "work and room enough for all,"" or my own simplicity in-believing them ; but, at any rate, in mustbe green, but I tell you I look pretty blue on it now. ■*■ *-| Mr. Editor, by giving insertion to this you will oblige, and I will write another some other time, as I dare say I will have plenty of leisure.—l am, &c, Domus.