UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 41, 18 February 1930, Page 10

UNEMPLOYMENT

ITS.CAUSES AND CURE

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—This is a question which is causing much concern throughout the civilised world to-day. Much has been written and more said about it than about any other subject recent]}-. We have had it here in the past; it is still present, and is likely to be even more acute in the near future. What is the cause? Is there a remedy? I do not propose to suggest a world-wide remedy, but I am positive that there could be local relief. A young, fertile country, with such a wealth of natural resources as we posses need not have it. We are, first of all, a - primary producing country. The. great bulk of our income is derived from the land, and only in certain seasons of the year. Our wool, meat, butter, and other produce require n' large army of workers to handle them for a few months only in the year. For years past the season for,, meat workers, with all its allied trades, has been made shorter. The long season at high rates of pay is a thing of the past, and yet these industries must be supplied with labour as and when required. Nearly two years ago,, when unemployment was acute in the ■ district, I found that the great majority of applicants were men who had been employed in dealing with our seasonal industries, and who would, in the ordinary course, be required again in similar positions the following season. I think it, will be generally recognised that there are many thousands more men required in certain seasons of the year than in the off-season. This being admitted, we are, even if provision of 1 some sort is made for this year; not then j dealing with something that will pass, I but with what will be—as far as our, seasonal workers are concerned—a constantly recurring problem. Having found to some extent the cause of our trouble, and knowing that it must occur year after year,' should we not endeavour to remedy it? One thing is very certain, the longer the Government and local bodies continue borrowing in order to give relief, as they are now doing, the harder will the burden become! still further increasing the need for relief as well as the difficulty in obtaining it. To put hundreds or thousands of men on to woi-k that is not of a reproductive nature must in time become impossible. The real position is to find ways and means of employment'for our seasonal workers for tlieir broken time. off. days, and the wholly off season. This can be done by providing first-class land near the city, with comfortable homes, where our men could most profitably spend their timo iv producing goods that would always find a ready market in the city. A comfortablo home, with half an acre of good land, would be sufficient to enable a man —with his family—to produce a large quantity of fruit and' vegetables of various kinds, and bring in suflicicut to finable him to carry on without the necessity of having to annually register in the ranks of the unemployed. By this means our Harbour Board employees, chipping workers, butchers, meat workers, with all their branch trades, could be provided for.

Again, by these means, work of a profitable * nature would be available for the workers' boys and girls until they were old enough tb take constant employment. Further, it would give more of our young people an opportunity to cultivate knowledge of gardening and soil working, which is not obtainable in confined- city areas. And more, it would enable the real home and family life to be lived as it should be.

I am aware that many will say that the <;oRt would he. prohibitive, lint I contend tliat it would not. A comfortable fiyo-roomed 'house with modern conveniences and \half an acre of the most suit-

able land for this purpose could be pro* videdat a cost of £1000, or a weekly cost —interest and principal—of 255.

I am writing this, Mr. Editor, with the hope that, it will be well criticised. It is either right or wrong, possible or impossible. If wrong and impossible, theu.' it should be thrown out, but if right and possible it can and should be put into effect. ■' • • ■ ■

On every hand we hear people say that something must be done. Here is something that can be done, and which I an* sure would not only be a solution of oxtt. trouble for many seasonal workers, bu£' would make far better homes and condV tions for those who are most deserving, the workers, those' who are helping to carl, on the country's work and build up prosperity for all, ■ >

I do not attempt to suggest that, this can be done without thought and '■ work, but there are those who,'for the sake of our fair coiintry and their felloiymen, could and would make the suggestion », success.—l am, etc.',

W.T. STRAND.

an' appeal

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—From my past experience I am f sure you will grant rue tho use of your columns to, enable me to appeal for a case of necessity. In August last a man died suddenly, leaving a widow » and four boys; two of the boys a?e ia regular work; ouo can only get stray; jobs; tho other is working at 15s. a week, which, of course, does notlkeep him. Tho widow is , quito unable to work. The man had bought a houfiw under .the Advances to Settlers; th<»><> is a first mortgage of £1230 and a. see- ■ ond mortgage for £70. The family have very little to come aiid go on. I havo kuown them for years; they are hard working, honest, and respectable., It would case matters a lot ;if the second mortgage of £70 could be paid, off at ouco, I write to invite donations up-to £100 to enable, this to be dono and to give the widow a.' little start. I will personally see that the money is spent as I have outlined. Donations could be sent to me direct. I have no hesitation in recommending the case as a really" deserving one.—l am, etc.,

T. FEILDEN TAYLOR, .-;'• City Missioaer.

172, Taranaki street.