THE UNEMPLOYED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5285, 15 June 1895, Page 8

THE UNEMPLOYED.

A ■meeting of citizens of Christehuroh and suburbs was held at the City Council Chamber yesterday afternoon to consider the heat means of .providing funds to assist the unemployed. The Mayor of Christohurch occupied the chair. There were about twenty-five preaen t, among the number being the Mayors of Lin wood (Mr J. E. Brunt) and Sc AJbana (Mr J. Penteney), Mesßra W. W. Tanner, M.H.8., G. jG. Stead, W. E. Mitohell, 0. P. Hulbert, .0. Bargees, W. I. Ballanger and DrW.E. Hapon.

The Chairman explained the object of the meeting. He stated that at the recent meeting of representatives of local bodies, those who had attended had favoured the scheme then proposed, but they had to submit the matter to their respective bodies. He had received a telegram from the Premier, stating that any sums raised would have to go through tho Charitable Aid Board. Information had been received from Dunedin stating that the rate of wages paid there was 43 6d a day. The number of men who had given in their names was 132, registeied fcb the following places :— Sydenham 19, St Albans 8, Lin wood 35, Christchuxch 701 Twenty oi the seventy who bad registered at the City Council Office were old men — their ages ranging from fifty-five to seventy. The following subscriptions had been received towards the fund :— Hon W. P. Beeves £5, Mayor* of Cbristehurch £5 6s, Messrs "Whitcombe and Tombs <810 10s, Mr W. Hunter £2 28, Mrs Moore £2 2u At the City Council meeting on Monday night he intended to move for a grant of .£2OO to* wajrde the fund.

Mr Stead said that while' the discussion had beea going on cs to who was the proper authority to deal with the question, the men were starving, and to clinoh matters he had taken the action he had. He proposed that . by public subscriptions and contributions from local bodies J6IOOO Bb.p,uld be raised, and with the Government subsidy this would amount to .£2OOO. Over £200 had already been xaised. This should be a common fund, and divided in proportion to the local todies' contributions. He thought that -the Athletic Clubs of the city might get up a very successful entertainment. Aa regarded the rate of pay, the fund should be used economically, and not made an inducement to bring men to town, "but simply as a means of enabling the recipients to tide over the winter. He thpnvtit 4s 6d a day wsb more than could be afforded here. A single man could buy All the necessaries of life on 33 a day, and he thought 4ra day would be sufficient for a married man with a family. He moved— " That acommitt>e be formed, to consist of the Mayors of Christchurch, Liuwood, St Albans and Sydenham, the chairmen of the local Boad Boards, Messrs W. %. Mitchell, H. Thomson, C. P. Hulbert, W.J. fialliuger and the mover." Mr Brunt seconded the motion, which waa carried. -

The Chairman mentioned that Mr Fuchs haft 'placed the Opera House at their dia. poßftl for one or two nights, as they might •wijh.

Mr Hnlberfc agreed with Mr Stead's suggestion aaio tbe rate of wages. They ehonld not be too libural, or mm would be attwoted from other parts, and the evil wcpJd he inocoased.

ijlr Mitchell said that the need was urgent, rod he would like to see work begun on Monday if passible. The Mayor said ho felt euro that if the money was .paid in to the Charitable Aid Board at once work could be commenced on Monday. The ticket question was discussed, and the Mayor said in reply to a question that it waa -not proposed to give tickets for suma contributed, a plan which would enable employers to obtain cheap labour. Mr $nr,g*B3 moved — " That work be given only to men who have resided for three months within Bis miles of Chriafcohturqh." Mr Ballitiger seconded the motion, which waicarnecl.

The Mayor was appointed treasurer^of the land.

Jtyf Stead suggested that it would be convenient if the City Council acted as the distributing body. The Mayor said he thoueht lists should be sttifc through all the factories work* Bhops, &c. A man in work waa a very poor man if he would not subscribe a shilling for those oub of work.

Mr Balliager said that laab year the workers had responded nobly to the appeal. Mr Tanner suggested that when the money hnd all been spent, it would be a Batisf action to the subscribers, if a detailed re o*t Vere submitted, ehowincy whence the maney bad been derived and how it had be^u spent. The Chairman eaid that would be done. It was decided that the committee ■hooJd meet at 11 a.m to-day. The mcc ing closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

Ifre Bangiora Borough Council will hold a special meeting early nest week to arrange relief work and to vote a Bum on 'which to claim a Government subßidy of £ tor JL Probably provision will be made for the expenditure of an aggregate aum of .8150.

TPBB Psßflß AnHOOIATION.I

DUNEDIN, Jttkb 14.

The Unemployed Belief Committee has no^selejted one hundred and fifty of the men onfc of work.