THE SURPLUS LABOUR QUESTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5567, 16 May 1896, Page 7

THE SURPLUS LABOUR QUESTION.

A CONFERENCE,

I A conference, called by the Snrplu Labour League, was held last evening at the Temperance Hall. There were present I —Messrs E. Early (in the chair), W. j Powell, Owens, Hancock and Harrow ; (Surplus Labour League), Mrs Blake and j Miss Hpokham (Canterbury Women's In- : stitule), Messrs G. S. Ross (Boilermakers), I J. Palmer and A. F. Talbot, (Carpenters and Joiners), C. Lafferty and J. M'Cormick (Bootmakers), J. M'Laren (Tailoresses and Pressers), M. Donnelly (National Association), J. O'Bryen Hoare and W. Ensom (Fabian Society), W. I. Baltin!?er and H. G. Ell (Progressive Liberal Association), D. Lumsden and It!, E. Wright (Typographical AsßOciatioh). .: . | : ; ( Mr', Powell moved—" That this confer- 1 .eto.be. of delegates representing political and \ .labour associations, together with the com- : inittee of the .Surplus Labour League, is .unanimously of opinion that it is impera- j tively the duty of the. Gorernmeufc to bring i forward a thorough-going scheme, such as giving every colonist in this country who I requires it the opportunity of taking up a. few acres of land, with assistance if neces-, I sary, in order to permanently settle the I suiplus labour question." In moving the | resolution Mr Powell referred to the j futility of sending men to co-operative I works, when their wives and children were^ I left iv the towns to be supported by the Charitable Aid Board. Mr Owens seconded the motion, saying that in a colony like New Zealand, only a little over half a century old, poverty should be unknown. Mr Ross said he did not agree with the remarks made by Mr Powell, which would lead them to infer that thepresent Government had done and was doing nothing for ■ the unemployed. The Chairman said that it woxild be as well to abstain from specific references to the present or past Governments. • - i In reply to Mr Ballinger, the Chairman said the Surplus, Labour League had not collected statistics as to the number of men out of work and those dependent on them. Mrs Blake said she agreed with Mr Ballinger. They ought to find out the callings of those out of work, as all men were not fit to be put on the land. Mr Ensom thought it would be best to first affirm the principle that it was the duty of the Government to find work for the unemployed. Mr Hoare agreed with Mr Ensom, and read an extract from Mr March's report on the settlement of the people on the land in Victoria and South Australia. Mr Powell and Mr Owens consenting, the motion was divided and altered to read : — "That this conference of delegates from Political and Labour Associations, together with the Committee of the Surplus Labour League, is of opinion that it is imperatively the duty 1 of Government to provide work for all who are unemployed." Mr Donnelly said they ought to have data before them, before they came to any conclusion. Miss Hookham and Messrs C. Lafferty and E. Wright also spoke to the motion, which was carried with one dissentient. The conference then adjourned till 7.30 p.m. next Friday.