DISTRESS IN SYDNEY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9910, 1 December 1893, Page 4

DISTRESS IN SYDNEY.

Our Melbourne correspondent writes :—

When a number of members of the Labour Conference were returning to their homes in the early morning after the conclusion of Friday's sitting, their attention was directed to a number of men sleeping under the old market buildings in York street No fewer than 135 persons were found within a small radius, all of whom had been driven out of the Domain— their usual haunt—by the rain, tthe weather m Sydney having recently been very rainy On a subsequent night over 180 persons were found sleepiDg (or rather "dossing"), under the market verandahs in York street, and within a stone's throw over 70 other men were lying in sheltered spots in the streets. These people had been driven in from the Domain by the wet, and presented a most pitiable sight. Many of j them were covered with bags,and newspapers, but to secure warmth they had packed themselves as closely together as was possible on the pavement.

The Labour delegates took the matter up with spirit, and the mayor has promised to throw open the exhibition building aa a dormitory for the homeless; while Sir George Dibbs has made arrangements for them all to be supplied with Belter at the cost of the Government: • A remarkable scene occurred in Parliament m connection with the same subject. Mr Kelly mtee-course of a speech about the distress' said that a'man named Dodd, who some time ago was on the committee to deal with the • unemployed difficulty, had not done a day'a work since. Dodd, who is a well-known agitator, was in the strangers' gallery, and at this he rose and bawled out, "Itis a lie." Mr Kelly 6at down, and amid some excitement Dodd, who had resumed his seat, again rose and said, "It's a lie, Mr Speaker." On this the Speaker called on the sergeant-at-anns to arrest the man. Dodd quietly left the gallery, and was taken m charge outside the Chamber. At the suggestion of the Speaker Dodd was released, as ho expressed regret at his conduct, but was told that he would not be allowed in the gallery for some time.