CURTAILMENT OF WORKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 June 1921, Page 3

CURTAILMENT OF WORKS.

PROTEST BY COL. MITCHELL, M.P

Reporting to the Wellington Progress League, Col. Mitchell, M.P. (official organiser) goes on to say in a recent report:—

“I wish again to point out the great burden unemployment means to the taxpayers of the country. Families become a charge on the charitable aid and other sources of charity, unrest becomes evident, idleness breeds discontent and .mischief, men degnerate and crime increases. On the other

hand, our country to-day hungers for the labour of men. We want new railways built and old ones renewed. Shocking patchwork roads and the want of roads throughout the country belie jour progress and prosperity. There are swamps to be drained, dry places to be watered, lands to be reclaimed, water powers to be developed, waste areas to be cultivated, and minerals to be mined. All are calling for the greatest and most valuable asset of any country, the labour of men. Yet, through want of an intelligent policy, we are wasting the labour of thousands of men in our Dominion every day. That loss is a loss for ever. When our national income falls and times are bad, everyone should be at work to produce more to make up for the deficiency in price, and ease our burden. There is no greater material waste or national sin against the counary or against humanity than that able-bodied men, whether rich or poor, should be idle.”