UNEMPLOYMENT POLICY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21416, 7 March 1935, Page 9

UNEMPLOYMENT POLICY

TO THE ED'iTOK 07 TUB I'KKSS. Sir—if I have been sadly disappointed with Mr Bromley's speech on unemployment to the Rotarians in limarn, I am now even more disappointed by your article, which totally Jacks any real constructive criticisms. There was only one part of the speech with which everyone seems to agree, and that was the plain statement, that unemployment for a great part <)i our population has comn [j stay, out I wish to add to this that not only has it come to say, but it must get worse unless some very radical reiorms of our economic system are adopted. There is not one single family that is unaffected by this scourge; and our unemployed and their lainilies tire left to starve while society is abundantly rich and production is greater than ever. Those who are still at work can plainly see their turn corning. when they will have to join the ranks of the social derelicts. In New Zealand the momentary decrease of the number oi! the totally unemployed is due to the adoption of the subsidy scheme, which is helping prosperous firms at the expense ol those that, are daily driven to bankruptcy. Now, new and very up-to-date machinery is being adopted by our public bodies and private capitalists, thus speeding up production and increasing unemployment; but when we urge the reform oi shortening the hours of labour, I\lr Forbes, with lair support, says that, such a step is impo>sjble! But what, prevents our slack industries and public bodies from shortening the hours of labour. Jet us say, by one liour yearly for live or six years to come, thus avoiding a too sudden change? The reduction of the hours of labour cannot be delayed any longer, for those who work long hours do so at the expense of others. Again, why waste money and men's ability on useless works when real and necessary work is neglected? Roads alt over the country need remaking, and if the construction of the railroad connecting f'icton with. Christehurch is not advisable just now. then why not build :i proper tratlic road along those districts that would be used by Hie motor services in tarrying passengers and goods? Thousand.- of such necessary works could be suggested by local bodies, where men could be empluyed usefully and they could receive an adequate payment for their labour. What about forestry work, not done by relief workers but by properly cmployed men. who also would receive proper payment for work honestly executed? Of course, I shall be told that for such scheme money is needed and money is lacking. But would money be lacking if our politicians faced a war''' No! To kill men and to bring the world into a state of desolation, money will be found at a minute's notice. Taxes would be imposed immediately: but in order to save men and society there is no money, though millions in New Zealand are waiting for investment. I am not in favour of further taxing our already staggering business community; but some time ago we were told {hat the total wealth of New Zealand has increased of late by the beautiful amount of 1115,000,000. Why not adopt now the best and most just tax ot all? I mean a capital levy for Hie amount of £15,000,000 on all people owning above a certain amount, let us say £IO,OOO or £20.000; this levy to be graduated and spread out over a certain period of time, so as to avoid undue hardships. Used in developing our country, and in furthering the educational works for the youth of New Zealand, £15,000,000 would bring a certain prosperity to our business community, for it would give a real spending power to our workers and bring blessing to all and further increase in the total wealth of the country.—Yours, etc., UMBERTO COLONNA. March 4, 1935.