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Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1926, Page 2

This is the time of tho year when unemployment rears its head, and it is bail always in the centres. Certain occupations have to slacken hands, and many men come in from tbs back country. In particular this is a difficult time of the year for the unthrifty. Those who at other times of the year draw good wages, but arc improvident, have to face something of an ordeal when work is scarce in winter time. The most difficult time of course is for the families when the *insn are married. If there is improvidence in such eases, then the circumstances arc regrettable and certainly difficult. In Auckland last week the Prime Minister had to speak out to tile unemployed deputation. In Auckland there is an “unemployed union/’ which sounds like an organisation to drive tho best bargain it can. Tho “union” rathor missed lire in presenting its ease to Mr Coates and demanding rather than asking for union rates of pay. If that had been conceded them is no doubt the position would be abused greatly. Tho situation would be .something akin to the unemployed dais at Home, where millions have to be found to keep the costly system going. Here it would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to find work for all at union rates. But it would be quite impossible to do sD—the burden would be too much for the country to hear. Mr Coates did well to nip the proposal in the hud at the. outset, and the plain speaking should have some effect for good generally. On top of the ordinary surplus of labor in the country at this period of the year, there are of course the streams of immigrants arriving. It its •noticeable from all the photographs seen of the now arrivals that they are people of some means, so that they are in a position to help themselves for some little time, if not finding work immediately, but they must be shortening the avenues of general employment for local people. Finding work in a large centre now must take some hustling, and these who concentrate on forming unions of unemployed are likely to be left. As Mr Coates says every one must work, and work will be found. It may not ho highly paid, and'it may be very conveniently placed—perhaps not congenial —but as far as possible the Government will do what it can. with special care where families are affected. That is as much as can he done in a general way. and the “unemployed” should he disposed to accept the position as the host in the difficult circumstances. The situation is a reminder of the value of being thrifty in the better times, so as to prepare l for the rainy days.