THE UNEMPLOYED.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 248, 23 November 1914, Page 5

THE UNEMPLOYED.

DEPUTATION TO SIR JOSEPH WARD. SYMPATHY EXPRESSED. A deputation of unemployed, numbering about 200, to-day waited upon Sir Joseph Ward, Leader of the Opposition-, to lay their position before him. They were introduced by Mr J. Mc« Combs, M.P. Mr Howard, who was the principal speaker, pointed out that the deputation was in no way political. .There were fully 200 men in Christchurch out of employment, many of whom had large faniilies, and were going home day after day, after sitting about the Labour Department's offices, with the same story of failure. They were willing and eager to work, and would go anywhere if work were found for them. They recognised, said Mr Howard, that Sir Joseph Ward did not occupy an official jjosition, and this deputation was a spontaneous desire on the part of the men tfli pxit the matter before Sir Joseph and get his advice. He knew that there was work for them to go to, and that Parliament had the money, but there seemed to be something standing between that they could not understand. Some little work had been found, but not nearly enough to meet the requirements. While a number of those men about had been attracted by the crowd, he could assure Sir Joseph that the majority of them were men who earnestly and honestly desired work. A voice: Yes; and we will go anywhere.

Sir Joseph, in reply, said that at a time, such as this, ami when the necessary finance had been voted by Parliament to carry out work to meet the requirements, the work should not be curtailed. The money for the work had been voted unanimously in Parliament, and the Opposition had assisted without any party feeling. He pointed out that in England, where there were so many troubles at the present time, the Government was undertaking work that had never been thought of on previous occasions, and in a young country like this, which had not the same social and other problems as the older countries, it should surely be possible to do something for the unemployed. It was the duty of the Government to meet the present emergency. All he could promise them to do was to dispatch telegrams to the Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works, and put the men's position before them and urge that something should be done. He need hardly assure them that anything the Government could do would be accorded the hearty co operation of the Liberal Party. Subsequently Sir Joseph dispatched

the following telegram to the Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works: — A deputation of unemployed, stated by the speakers to represent fully 200 men out of work in Clmstchurch, waited upon me this morning and represented that through their inability to obtain employment a large number of them were in a destitute condition. It was stated that many of the men were married and have large families. I informed them that I did not regard the matter in any way from a political or party standpoint, and I informed them that I would telegraph to you and the Minister of Public Works urging the desir ability of finding work for them 011 reproductive public works. Anything that the Government does in this respect I need hardly tell you will receive the loyal and hearty support of the Opposition Parly. I am satisfied that the representations made are bona-fide, and that work is urgent Iv and immediately required.—• J. Q. WARD.