Socialism and the Unemployed.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5563, 10 March 1886, Page 1

Socialism and the Unemployed.

[CONTBIBUTED.] (Passing along Cathedral square I picked up notes written in shorthand, purporting to bo a report of an interview between two citizens. I cannot tell to which reporter the noteß belonged, and I publish the best translation I can make, in hopeß the owner will identify his property. — Paul Prt.) M. Jacques Ouvrier: I am so glad to see you, and to meet one of us. Mr OK : Ido not understand you ; who may the " us" be? M.J.0. : Oh, lam a French Socialist — a follower of Blanc, who asserted that Government should have workshops to give work to the citizens. Mr G. : My name is Mr Garrick, of the firm of Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw, barristers. M. J. 0. : Pardon me, I thought you were the member for St Albans who spoke at Merivale the other night. Mr G. : So I am ; but I cannot see what that has to do with French Socialism or Louis Blanc. M. J. O. : But you said the Government must find work for the unemployed — fair employment — and give reasonable wageß. Mr G. : Yes, I said so— at exceptional seasons. M. J. 0. : All seasons are exceptional to the workless. Harvest has come, and the unemployed are still numerous. Mr G. : Well, the Government must find work. M.. J. O. : I thought so ; and it must be fair employment, and reasonable wages. Mr G. : Yes j I assent. M. J. O. : That is, it would not be fair employment to ask me, a tailor, to break atones. Mr G. : Well, no. M. J. O. : And my friend, Jean Eousseau, i<3 a cabinet-maker and his brother is a saddler. The Government must Btart trade workshops to find them employment. Mr G. : I did not go so far as that. M. J. 0. : No ; it is unpopular to go so far but you meant it. I know you did, for you formulated Louis Blanc's favourite statement — " The Government must find work for the workers." Mr G. : I do not see whither you are driving. M. J. O. : I agree with you ; Protection is not enough. It drives capitalists to begin certain industries. We want something better than that. Government must itself begin the industries, and give reasonable work to the unemployed. And if there are lawyers' clerks umomployed, why should not tho Government give them work ? It would be unreasonable to ask them, trained to the pen, to use the pick. Mr G. : You are putting a meaning on my words I did not put. M. J. 0. : But you are for work being found. You do not mean that it would be finding work for men to offer skilled mechanics labourers' work. Mr G. : Well, Ido not know. M. J. 0. : Do not be ashamed of the great Frenchman's creed. What would yoo do ? Mr G. : Do, I'll tell you what I'll do ; I refer you to the Minister of Public Works. I have to attend a case in Court. M. J. 0. : But he is in Wellington. MrG. : Good day. (Marches off.) M. J. O. : Little satisfaction I have got from him ; but he is all right. Truth will conquer, and the ideas of Franco will yet illuminate the darkened understandings of tho dense islanders.