The Unemployed.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5279, 8 June 1895, Page 7

The Unemployed.

(Lyi.e3.o7. Times,)

The resolution adopted by the committee of the Canterbury Liberal Association laat evening will not, we are afraid, assist in the eolation of tbe unemployed difficulty. The Government, as we pointed but the other dayj has shown an . earnest desire to alleviate the prevailing distress, but it cannot reasonably be expected to provide a public works policy to meet every temporary congestion o£ the labour market. It was urged, we understand, by some of the supporters of the resolution that a Government scheme of relief would avoid the petty jealousies that would probably be "aroused by the. proposed subsidies to local bodies These people .annot have paid much attention to the expenditure of public money. If they wili suggest to Mr Seddon some work in Canterbury which he might prosecute without bringing upon his head a torrent of abuse from the other centres or population, he will, we are sure, be glad to give it his most earnest attention. But the localities cannot divest themselves of their direct responsibilities. They must, whether they like it or not, join with the Government in facing.hetiifficulty. The Ministry is straining every nerve by opening land for settlement and establishing co-operative works to lessen the number of the unemployed, but when it has done its best there will still be able-bodied men asking for assistance. These cannot be left to starve, and they should not be driven to accept the bread of charity. The principle already recognised in the distribution of charitable aid — a division of tbe cost between the State and the local bodies — Bhould be applied to the provision oi work.