WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1928, Page 4

WELLINGTON NEWS

MANY MEN OUT OP WORK

(Special to “ Guardian WELLINGTON, Jan. 23. .Several men who have taken an interest in the problem of unemployment forecast that the position in New Zealand is likely to be more acute than it has ever been in the last tew years. I he.se people worked on a committee set up bv the Mayor of Wellington, which has since been abandoned, and so this committee has attached itsell to the Keel Cross Society. It is stated that the approximate number is 800 in Wellington, but this appears somewhat of an exaggeration as the official figuies el men registered gives a total ol nuclei 100. This committee recently waited upon the Mayor of Wellington in respect to unemployment, but he could not give them any hope ol the men living employed in paving work, as that required men of some experience. Ihe Mayor thought the problem was one for the Government to deal with. The committee then discussed the matter with the Minister for Labour (Hon. G. ,1. -Anderson) and the Chief Engineer '.Mr I' *A\ . hurket). Ihe latter stated that so far from providing work, men were being discharged from the Public Works Department, it was suggested that some of the men might be sent to the dawn flat deviation, but that was held to be ridiculous in view of the current dispute and ill 1 fact that the job was picketed. It v.a> lurther suggested that the Minister .should endeavour to place some of the men with the farmers, but lie replied that the farmers bad been approached on tlu* matter, but there bad been practically no response.

The position seems rather peculiar, and it is absurd to say that this country cannot provide work tor the handful of men that are in it. There is a good ileal of work to be -lone that is not being done because tlu* people cannot afford the price. That is the crux of the whole thing. While labour demands. at the instance of its advocates, higher wages and more expensive conditions, a good deal ol work must stand over.

It should be clearly understood that certain work can only stand a certain cost. Let us take the Tawa flat deviation, the contractors have offered a

certain wage and certain conditions. 'I hose who accept that work must like it or leave it. and not be privileged to exercise rights that are deprived other people. To picket a work is practically to exercise job control. 'I be wages olfered are fair and reasonable, and equal to those current under the Arbitration Act. and if those engaged dislike the jofi on the terms and conditions set out they should make way foitfiose willing to accept service under the conditions named.

There are plenty of men who would be glad to accent work at tlu* price offered b.v the contractors. It seems unfair, unjust and unreasonable that a certain body of men should have the power to bold up a job and prevent others from undertaking it, however willing they may be. While conditions like this remain unemployment on a big scale is inevitable. Me appear to have reached the pass where men pick their jobs and choose their wages, and then talk about the possibility of a five years’ truce. The country cannot afford these luxuries, and the fact will be brought home* to us in a loreelul manner during the next few months. 'I hero is work for all at a price, but tin* prices of commodities and services must come down. Unemployment is not a political matter, not yet a Government job. 1 1 is an economic problem and must be solved in an economic way. Let u.s remember the fact that onr primary producers who export provide us with the capital for expenditure. The cost of their products in the terminal foreign markets lias been falling, and this is particiilarlv true of foodstuffs such as butter and cheese and frozen meat.

Ollr foreign customers cannot afford the old prices. Export prices are falling. uni! yet our primary producers are expected to pay full prices for the goods they purchase within the country and are expected to pay full prices for the services they need. They cannot do so. and to ask the farmer t > employ labour is useless. I lie Governinent has made the experiment and failed. It will he necessary to amalgamate industry, or certain industries, so as to reduce cost of production; to re-value land, so that rentals may he made more reasonable, and borrowing for public works must he greatly curtailed. It seems also that transferring labour under the British plan may have to he adopted. Certainly looking to t''e Government to solve the unemployed problem is futile, for, as already stated, it is not a political hut an economic problem. 'I he Government authorised public bodies to raise money for unemployment, hut this has efleeted no euro.