WORK AND WAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5487, 12 February 1896, Page 1

WORK AND WAGES.

• A meeting of the Surplus Labour League was held at the Oddfellows' Chambers yesterday evening. Twenty-two men were present, and Mr E. Early was voted to the chair. Mr Powell explained what had been done by the committee since the first meeting of the League. The action of the committee was approved. Mr Lock delivered a short address, and afterwards Mr W. Jacques, at the request of those present, spoke briefly on tne question of the best way of solving the surplus labour difficulty. He said he had noticed that the Government had planted trees along the railway lines, with a view, no doubt, to the timber being used in Government workshops. These plantations of trees required looking after, and he thought the Government might select a number of men to work among the trees and keep them in order. Each man could be provided with material and a small house; and made to look after .one or, two miles of trees. His duties would consist matihly of thinning out and felling 'the trees, and keeping the plantations in good order. This would, he thought, relieve the pressure of surplus labour to a very great extent. A vote of thanks was passed to Messrs Lock and Jacques for their addresses, aud it was resolved that Mr Jacques' scheme should he referred to the committee for consideration, and that the -meeting should urge upon the Government the importance of finding immediate employment for those out of work.