"EVILS OF THE DOLE"

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 2, 4 January 1932, Page 6

"EVILS OF THE DOLE"

ti Several correspondents have written to 'The Post" protesting in strong terms against Mr. (J. J. B. Norwood's references to the evils of the dole.

"Apropos the observation about the dole recipients eating all three meals without washing their plates, or without washing themselves (writes A. Leary) how could Mr. Norwood have such an intimate Knowledge of the people when (as he says) he covered the whole of Britain in three months? One may be pardoned for presuming that Mr. Norwood covered the whole of Britain travelling in comfort with a cursory glance here and there, at an unfortunate people who are not as well Messed with this world's goods as he himself. If the dole is as demoralising to the people as Mr. Norwood suggests, then why does he not also suggest ways and means to abolish the evil? There is admittedly not enough work for the people, and yet I do not think Mr. Norwood will deny them their right to live; more especially as they also are Britishers and belong to the same Empire as Mr. Norwood. In conclusion I am sure quite a lot of your readers would like to have Mr. Norwood's opinion on how he would combat the social evil of unemployment. It is becoming quite the fashion for a lot of people who can afford it to-make a trip to the Old Country, gather a few impressions right or wrong, and then air their views on their return. Something more tangible is needed, and if Mr. Norwood can submit humanitarian proposals absolutely devoid of prejudice, he may render better service than in merely stigmatising his more unfortunate brethren."

'"The views of our ex-Mayor are not only an exaggeration but are a grave libel on an unfortunate people, who are the victims of circumstances -which are now world-wide (writes D. F. Milligan). Our ex-Mayor is just one of the many who leave these shores on a tour and on arriving back, rivet the attention of the populace with statements that lack cogitation. ... Mr. Norwood would have all those in receipt of the dole conscripted. Amongst those in receipt of the dole are ex-naval and army officers, men who have worked for years by the 'sweat of the brow,' who have been thrown into the gutter after years of faithful toil, through works shutting down or amalgamation with other works. .. . The male population who are on the dole, men who are slothful, unclean, and useless citizens are the very men who did their bit in the various theatres of the last war, to ensure the very freedom that is now enjoyed, and because they are unemployed 'through no fault of their own, Mr. Norwood would take away that freedom. Evidently Mr. Norwood has not yet heard of the results of the British elections, the action of a 'deteriorating people.' When Mr. Stanley Baldwin went 'slumming' to get a.real insight into the housing question some years ago in the city of Glasgow, he sint his "eyes opened.'' Be found some of the houses unfit for habitation, but was very much surprised at the thorough cleanlines--. that he encountered wherever ho. went, The condition of the properties and houses rests mainly jvitki

the landlords, amongst whom are the nobility, and some of these titled gentry own some of the worst slums that are to be found In" Britain."". . If must be written down to the credit of Britain that, notwithstanding the fact that for ten years the country lias been carrying a large army of unemployed, there has been a marked decrease in crime all over the country. Yet Mr. Norwood disregards the statements of those in authority, and the recent statement of Sir A. Duckham in praise of the British system of dealing with unemployment."