The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. TUESDAY. JUNE 7, 1921. THE UNEMPLOYED.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 639, 7 June 1921, Page 6

The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons.

TUESDAY. JUNE 7, 1921. THE UNEMPLOYED.

At the present moment there is an increasing army of unemployed in the various centres of the Dominion. The Public Works Department is endeavouring to absorb a large number of these at wages less than the standard. The Labour agitators are crying out against this, foolishly trying to kill the old axiom that “half a loaf is better than no bread." Wages must fall as prices fall, and if the demand for labour falls, then just as surely as the sun rises must a wage level be found. We consider,' however, that if the Government cculd finance the work, there is enough available for every unemployed man in tthe Dominion in constructing roads and opening up fresh country such as tthe Urewera, for settlement. A public works administration with a vision could, in these slack times, keep men employed and lay important foundations for the future development of the Dominion. Unfortunately, the one aim of the Public Works Department appears to bp that of doing as litt’e development work as possible, and confining its energies to repair and maintenance work. This is the penny wise, pound -foo’ish policy all over again,

“We nothing extenuate, nor aught set down in malice."

and the Dominion cannot make t* e stride forward that it should until this question of entirely new deve'opmert work is tackled. The expense incurred would be justified if in return it opened i o new country, built new roads, constructed canals,

acleed to the length of railway, Bought more rolling stock, ancl generally increased the facilities for the growth of the primary industries and other businesses throughout the length and breadth of this great Dominion. A forward move is needed badly and ttlie present unemployment offers the Government an opportunity of making a start, it is only a short time since that every time urgent work was needed, the Minister for Public Works wailed that labour could not be procured. That argument is futile now. His opportunity is at hand. Now is the time to use it.