THE “STICKY” PROBLEM

Evening Star, Issue 21752, 21 June 1934, Page 14

THE “STICKY” PROBLEM

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l have to thank you for publishing my letter in full, and am sorry J, cannot "agree with your footnote, because 1 am now receiving less than before the building scheme commenced. Mine is not an isolated case, as there are between forty and fifty men in the same class in my group, and all of us arc in the same boat. Our average per week all of last year was between , 25s and 26s each, whereas since February of this year it has been reduced to 21s 6ijd. When the scheme was first mooted it was shouted from the housetops that as soon as men were taken off the unemployed. more money would be received by the board in a dozen and one different ways, and, such being the case, it was confidently anticipated 'that more would be available for those who could not be absorbed. I would suggest that before any of the unemployment moneys are used to assist any more such schemes, each person or firm be made to fill in a form somewhat similar to our U.B. 32 or 32a, as to their assets and liabilities, etc. lf.it can. then be proved that they are really in need, it might be a different story. Wohld that we had men like Richard Seddon or Sir Joseph Ward to take control of affairs. Here is an extract from a manifesto by Mr Seddon just previous to an. election, when the Tories bit the bust:—“l believe that the cardinal aim of Government is to provide the conditions which will reduce want and permit the very largest possible number of its people to be healthy, happy, human beings. The-life, the health, the intelligence, and the morals of a nation count for more than riches, and 1 would rather have this country free from want and squalor and unemployed than the home of multi-millionaires.” Of course, lam liable 'to be told that things are different now. Yes, they are. The country is twice as rich in wealth, and there are three or four times the amount of goods available for distribution to the poor and needy. Our Lord said: “Feed My Lambs.” The Unemployment Board says : “ Let them starve,” or words to that effect, as witness the writer trying to feed, clothe, and provide the necessities of life for three people on three-farthings a week. —I am, etc., New Zealander. June 19.