WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 45, 22 February 1930, Page 8

WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Mr. W. T. Strand puts forward a feasible suggestion in his letter under the above heading, and invites criticism thereof, but that of your correspondent "Live and Let Live" is of no great value to those interested in the practicability of the proposal. Whether ail unemployment insurance scheme is inaugurated or not, the fact remains that any effort, however. small, to deplete the ranks of unemployed is worthy of consideration and encouragement. It is the little done here and there that will eventually overcome our troubles. We are too prone to await a full-sized ."ocean", instead of collecting a few "drops" at a time. Now, Sir, to examine Mr. Strand s proposal. As these desirable homes are nqfc at present available in any number, it; follows that they must be built. Jusfc what relation to building costs the earned and unearned increment in the value ot your -latter correspondent's property has I fail to see, but I do see that a comfortable home for my wife and family of three can be built for considerably less than £1000, and as such a scheme would necessarily be sponsored by a public body, I take it that no speculator's profit would be collected on any part of the cost. On reading "The Post" we find that there is still land available in the Upper Valley at prices which would give %-acre sections for £200, so' that I should still welcome proof that it cannot be done for £1000 per house and section^' The question of transport solves itself wherever group settlement is undertaken. As to the value of this scheme, there are at present, especially in the South Island, hundreds- of seasonal workers who own small sections varying from ,% to 5 and 10 acres, who by care>Fhen earning good money, and industry at" home during the off seasons, live comfortably1 year' after year without every worrying about unemployed insurance. Personally, Sir, I believe Mr. Strand's proposal worthy oi further investigation, and trust that we shall be favoured with some sound arguments for or against, not irrelevant reference to unconnected matters. —I am, etc., ' INDEPENDENCE