OUR GOLDFIELDS AND THE UNEMPLOYED. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2161, 25 July 1895, Page 20

OUR GOLDFIELDS AND THE UNEMPLOYED. TO THE EDITOR.

Sic, — The community h^ve nobly responded to the call for re'.ief to assist the unemployed, and no doubt good work is bsing done in and around Dunedin, but the same is more or less of an unproductive character, and when the money on haud is exhausted what is to follow ? In common with many others I fear the distress will ba intensified, as is the case in Christchurch. Numbers of men will como fLc'^iug into town in the lnpa,of sharing iv the relict afforded by the committee. It would be a good thing if the country press were asked Jo put strongly before suoh men as contemplate making for the city that it is needless to do so as the men out of work already exceed the employment. The excellent article in Friday's Daily Times leads the way to asolutionof the difficulty by sending cut parties of able-boditd men under the leadeiship of a duly qualified miner. As your space is limited I will not refer to the decision of the commi'tee in declining a grant^to the deputation of the Miners' Association, further than that, as a subscriber to the fund, I trust the committee will put in an appearance at the meeting tp be held on Monday evening, when they may see fit to alter their decision and grant a sum towards fitting out parties of men for prospecting our goldfields. Every idle man is a losj to the community and the State. The proposals for mining parties baing safeguarded^by rules, subscribers need have no fear that the money will not be properly expended. Out of every party of men it is more than probable «at least half, if not '"the whole, would become residents of the district they take up. As in the case of Now South Wales, the Government should be asked to grant free passes and miners' rights to the association. — I am, &c, Dunedin, July 20. • Sigma. P.S.— My subscription is ready to band you at any time.