THE UNEMPLOYED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3949, 14 December 1880, Page 3

THE UNEMPLOYED.

TO THB EDITOB OF THB STAB. Sib, — Local industry and all other schemes of self-security is the watchword incessantly on our tongues ; as a means to an end we all hope that it will bring success to this Colony. The errors of many of our doctrineß, unfortunately, are [exclusively imperooptions. Instance the concerted measures adopted by the possessors of wealth in contrast with those whose crime is only their poverty. Our large indebtedness forces many unpalatable truths upon us ; an important one is, or should be, the retention of the population acquired at an enormous amount of money. Ihe proverbial axiom among Britishers is •' Never despair," therefore let us see what is required. Spring is rapidly retiring, and the harvest prospects are not bad, yet hundreds of men are still without employment. The State has nearly closed its avenues of employment to the really necessitous, whilst many are rushing away to get that employment which is denied them here. How is it no more capital is invested in factories, such as starch, matches, felt, blacking, composite candles, and others of every day requirement? Wages are very low ; money is plentiful ; the materials are here. The vexatious question of the unemployed must reour with renewed intensity if so ht'le care is exhibited on their behalf. Disregard to the welfare of the labouring masses will recoil on all properties, by advertising our weaknesses, aad then we shall get the same that the dog got which bit the quaker. The unstatesmanlike policy pursued by the gentlemen in power in discharging so many in so brief a period has, and will continue to have, a diametrically opposite effect to that of increasing our revenues ; we shall have less to pay, fewer to pay it, and the rest un»ble to pay at all. That the state service had Bomewhat overgrown is a fact, and that faultless servants have been discharged is another fact ; minus any recompense. Justice aßks for substantial 5S c Sf überal grants of land. The same openhandedneas might have been extended to the well intentioned unemployed. Not in the experimental style heralded a few days ago up in the mountains of the Waimakariri Gorge. Unless prompt measures are devised and acted upon, the resurrection of Mayor 1880's soup kitchen will have to be reinstated by a gaping mare for 1881, and if so, I hope he will get his full of it. The emigrants who were promised employment on their arrival are further from it than ever, on account of .so many discharged Civil servants who have been promised priority by the State, and local firms naturally prefer them to strangers. The ranks of the unemployed are thus swollen. Are there any manifestations on the part of our large monied men starting new schemes that will give employment ? That, Sir, is what I should like to know. Mr Proudfoothadagrand opportunity the other day of showinghis patriotism. Singularly enough the old groove was adopted with lightning haste. American artisans were in the ascendant. Shipping, commissioners, excise, and all the over-fed in preferenco to recognising any local obligations. Prior to this our, thoughtless clergymen, who9o wants, I suppose, are cared for, must have English materials for the Cathedral, although continually expounding humility and patience. Is there anything, sir, likely more to disgust a laity with their teachers ? How energetically they worked at the soup kitchen — always to the fore in the climax of diseases, rarely adopting measures to stem their advent ! " Volumes might be written on this strange behaviour ; therefore, I beg all well wishers of their adopted home to inquire and ask the question, Why is it eo many men are out of employment ? My answer is that most of our commercial capital is manipulated by resident commission agents, and our large-monied men are squatters who own moßt of tho soil without improving it.— I am, &c, NEMO.