THE OXFORD NOTE BOOK.

Oxford Observer, Volume V, Issue V, 21 April 1894, Page 2

THE OXFORD NOTE BOOK.

The "leader " in last weeks Observer I is very suggestive, and much to the point, and the extract quoted is worthy or the consideration of all interested in the well being of our country. The unemployed, like the poor, are always with us, and thought in the Spring and Summer months we do not bear much of them, they are there'notwithstanding. The government has done much for the labourers through the labour bureau, but it might do more, and keep the unemployed from the towns if it would make use of the various post offices as agencies. If an '.' out of work " would get a job he must be in the town "on the spot " or someone less worthy will get his place. While many ar« in an impecunious condition through their own improvidence, it is not English to see even a lazy man starve. Men must be fed, and their wives and children should have tne necessaries of life. The Victorian Labour Bureau was closed last year on the ground that it did harm by attracting men from the country districts. There is not a doubt that the " unemployed " who remain in the country stand a much better chance of obtaining work, and of help in a necessity, than , his brother in the town. It is suggested that State Farms &c should be established, but these will never prove effective, and the .country will never be free from " the unemployed trouble" unless the government take steps to prevent the influx of unemployed from other colonies. The reason is obvious. Though the New Zealand Government has done sd'much for the labourers there are as many unemployedjin the country at the present time, as if nothing had been done. No unskilled labourer should be allowed in the colony unless he has substantial capital. The people of the colony should protest against- this colony being made the dumping ground of idther'colonies; - -.>-. -, v,-:-., .-; * In order; to prevent th6 £ cbntinuous trouble of the unemployed, it is ne-

cessary to infuse the young people with the spirit of thrift, prudence and industry. It is a pity the ; *' Penny Savings "bank '* is not more utilized as a means of training the boys and. girls of our schools to be "saving." The moral tone of the community should be raised, not only on the question of thrift, but on that of prudence and expediency. Parents are 'at their wits end to know what to do with their children, especially their boys for whom they can find little' or no' employment. In many 'cases, when they m make use of their boys to aid in " keeping the potjboiling " they do it to their own hurt, for the price of labour is thereby reduced, and sweating is 1 the consequence. "Am Imy brothers keeper? " is ' a question' that should be asked by all, and answered in the 'affirmative^ The labourer is often the greatest enemy to himself, for he sets his ownfamily in competition with him. r Among those whose 'moral principles are lowi* it is coiisiderfed that the men and women who' have the largest families, are the greatest to the state. But it should not be sjo considered ; for the man who has a family so large that he cannot fit each Mdividualin it to fight the battle of life advantageously, that he cannot give each' a good starib in'life, and that his own old; age is embittered by prospective penury' commits a crime against himself, his family and his. country. The benefactor is he who provides for himself an<3. those of his own household, and whose wisdom and self control are such as to ensure that his household is not to, large for him to be able to provide for. ■■-■' - ■•.': > .-. \ .::i Pennib. .