THE UNEMPLOYED.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2123, 23 October 1875, Page 2

THE UNEMPLOYED.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.)

Sir, —Thanks for your remarks in reference to an impartial discussion on the labor question. If there is one thing I dislike more than another it is to walk the street when I ought to be at work. While walking through Grabamstown yesterday, I conversed with many men out of work. A number of these men agreed that a requisition should be; signed requesting his Worship the Mayor to convene a public meeting on purpose to bring their case before the attention of the Government. A convenient place and time of meeting was settled on by those interested; but when the time of meeting came round only four of the men made their appearance to sign the requisition. Of course we considered it a failure, and nothing farther was done in the matter.

The experience thus given provtd conclusively that the blame does not rest on * the Press or on (he Government, but chiefly on the men themselves, whe ajp possesed of a certain false pria«<aod * childish feeling of looking up to;Wfls!?nody else to carry them carefully tfut of 1 heir difficulty.

I need not repeat all the objection! or suggestions made by some, but they amounted to this, in words, used by several out of work—if you can get Mr Rowe or Mr Carpenter to get up a meeting; it would be successful; if not, you will only get laughed at. With all respect due to the above named gentlemen, I was ashamed to. listen to such calflicking propensities. What have honest men to be ashamed of? It is not charity but employment we want, and for the future we are not justified in throwing blame on editors of the press or the Government until a fair and truthful request has.been made by those men who are individually concerned in such a request. Being one of the unemployed I snare with them in distress, but I cannot share silently their care* less apathy.—l am, &c,

T.B.