The Wanganui Chronicle AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." "WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1886.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 11265, 11 August 1886, Page 2

The Wanganui Chronicle AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." "WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1886.

The Auckland unemployed have committed themselves to a policy of bounce and bluster — a policy which should not be allowed to be successful, unless, indeed, the existent distress is much deeper and more widespread than from a perusal of the Auckland papers we are inclined to believe. We do not say that bounce is never successful, that threats never accomplish the purpose intended — but we do not say that suob a course of action should never be permitted to be successful, unless where the suffering and distress of which it is the out* come are deep-seated and severe. The position taken up by the idle Aucklapders in respect of the Government practically amounts to this : " You can either give us work at wages acceptable to us, or we will simply commit crimes, and go to gaol, and then you will have to keep us and our families as well." The resolution embodying the threat, and whioh was carried unanimously, was moved by a Mr W. T. Payne, in a somewhat incoherent speech, which was frequently applauded, the speaker's references to the " gaol " business being, however, dissented from by some of his hearers. For a resolution which concludes so bounceably, it has a rather weak commencement, and is altogether peculiarly constructed. It reads as follows :— "That this meeting feels hurt at the way our members have shown in our distress, and that in order to save trouble from men in great want, they do at once open works without delay, or we shall have to take some steps for ourselves which will cause trouble at large." In the course of his remarks the speaker said that if they could not get work " the Government would have to support them ia Mount Eden, and keep their wives outside. It would be better than starving. The Government should remember that want of. work led to crime, and should provide it once. He knew of a case where a man had had to take a blanket off the bed of his sick wife to enable him to buy her food; Work they must have." We do not wish for a moment to depreciate the suffering to whioh working men and their fatniies are exposed when their is no demand for their labour, but would point out that,with the establishment of Charitable Aid Boards, nobody who is really destitute need be afraid of being left to starve, while as to obtaining work, men who are really hard pressed should be willing to take what offers until such time aa they see an opportunity of bettering 1 themselves.