THE UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 40, 17 February 1930, Page 8

THE UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —So many letters pertaining to employment have appeared in the public Press in recent months that probably one additional .will not more materially affect the linotypes nor the mental balance of their much perplexed operators.- heuse my initial contribution for your kind pass.port. Not in any way regarding myself as a pessimist, permit me lo express lhu candid opinion at the outset that tho world's unemployed problem is not capable of successful permanent solution, nor in it capable of such solution within the four corners of New Zealand, for it is proving-the greatest economic problem the world has confronted, and the sooner our politicians and other public men are sufficiently upright and honest' to publicly admit the fact the better it will be for those seeking the means of life through employment. My reasons for the conclusion will bo presented later,- even not in this letter. A few days ago v. letter was perused by which the late GevernorGeneral was, with essence of sarcasm, dealt with in the path of vaudeville for making what was a practical suggestion towards improvement, and with the' glaring gift of self-imposed importance was apparently possessed of the delusion that he merely had to sound the bugie of industrial parade for representatives of Labour to board their aeroplanes and proceed to the capital with utmost dispatch for a conference if it was arranged by other than the Labour movement. Such destructive letters, Sir, are of no value at all-in the discussion of a great problem. The workers-of the Dominion seek construction that will improve their state in life and those depending on them for existence.

Without in any way adopting the role of defender, may it be remarked that with others I was present at the citizens' farewell in the Towjj Hall on the 6th instant, and was surprised and pleased with what was actually the best speech of-the evening, and clearly pre-eminent in its consideration and deliverance. 1 was delighted beyond bounds : that some attention was paid in the interest of the struggling mass of the people, and that it incorporated a practical suggestion towards reducing the unemployed by means of permanent' employment by enhanced production. One can cordially agree that the unemployed problem is largely in the hands of the workers themselves in the sense that by preference of patronage of New Zealand products our industries would not merely be enhanced, but mat terially increased in all particulars, there- ' by opening the way for employment of many, additional men and women, and consequently reducing materially the ranks of the unemployed, as well as putting more money into circulation, thus benefiting the retailer and employing more in that branch of industrial activity. In this connection the fundamental of the speech of the late Governor-General was that the people purchase only the products of New Zealand, industries whenever they are procurable, and it will be recollected that a Yuletide message to the people by the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) was similar in character. To me the sentiment incorporates a recognition of New Zealand nationalhood, and is to be applauded from many angles, but a difficulty is that trade unionists will not, nor can they be expected; to purchase gooda of any country that are produced by, or largely by, non-union labour. That is, however, a question apart from the one lam anxious to discuss.

In my humble way, Sir, I seek a permanent successful solution that will supply employment all the year round -at standard rates of wages and conditions to every man -and woman capable of performing it and wants it, and not a mere palliative or tentative or temporary arrangement that employs a worker to-daj', sacks him to-morrow, and leaves him on the rocks of unemployment for the nexi three or four months. It is not possible to present in this my reasons! for submitting that the problem of unemployment is not capable 'of permanent successful solution, but, Sir, with your kind indulgence the effort witl be. made by subsequent letter, and it is hoped to also present gome proposals that may assist those seriously considering the world's economic turmoil. In the meantime it would be a pleasure, and most -refreshing, to learn of some proposal or proposals that will, without qualification, provide permanent employment for every -unemployed worker requiring it, and who is capable in health of performing it. I 6eek not destruction, which is so easy, but positive construction, which is so' veryhard, and which demands serious and lengthy thought.—l am, etc., W. T. YOUNG.

17th February.