WORK SORELY NEEDED.

Observer, Volume XXI, Issue 1182, 24 August 1901, Page 2

WORK SORELY NEEDED.

The Position at Waihi

SEVERAL weeks must still elapse before the Arbitration Court can approach the consideration of the mining dispute, and, even then, some further delay must necessarily happen before an award can be made and the equilibrium of the industry restored; This being so, it is to be hoped that the Government will consider at once the necessities of the men at Waihi who have been thrown out of work in consequence of the dispute and of the families dependent upon them. Already, there are more than a hundred bread-winners in enforced idleness, with others dropping out of employment from time to time, so

.-.-• •"■..••■■. . *-.■•. t : :\'-\ ;:v. . •'■':■..:.-■«.■;..•/»«■'■.■...■ that the position is a very trying one to those with mouths to. feed.

It has' been very fairly suggested that the railway formation works at tfce: Waihi end> if put in hand at: once, would afford immediate and legitimate employment and would - relieve the distress that is beginning to ' be felt in many families. This is a matter we would commend to the prompt consideration of the Government. The miners wha have been affected by the dispute have been very uncomplaining, they have not agitated for either relief or help, and, in view of the fact that this work is necessary and must shortly be put in hand, it would be an act of thoughtful consideration to set it going at once, and tbus meet the crisis that has arisen. This may be done without regard to the merits of the dispute itself. It is sufficient that men, women and children are beginning to want for bread— they should not want Nvhen there is public work so close at hand to bo. rjnno.

The miners have sound reason for asking for this measure of consideration. When the dispute started, the Secretary for Labour visited the district, and the men were given to understand that they would have the sympathy and support of the Government. They have contented themselves with the right of appeal to the Conciliation and Arbitration Courts— they have sought nothing more. Surely, then, at a moment when their families are in need and they are in idleness it is not asking too much for the Government to commence this formation work, which must be put in hand very shortly anyhow, in order to tide the men over their emergency and furnish their families with'fooH.

Already, Mr Jackson l'almer has interested himself in the matter, but without stuccess. The delay is causing an awkward feeling in Waihi. There, the men are very loyal to the Government, but it is needless to say that if they find, in their extremity, that the Government are not' loyal to them, they will not forget the neglect shown to them when it becomes their time to speak. It is not easy to discover anything that either the Thames or Waihi have to thank the Government for so far during the existence of the present Parliament. They are asking now for work in order that they may buy bread. Will they ask in vain ?