The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1928. TACKLING UNEMPLOYMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1928. TACKLING UNEMPLOYMENT.

The problem presented by the abnormal degree of unemployment is the more serious because it has been allowed to assume proportions which prevent n ready handling of the .situation. The amount of unemployment at this period of the year is a record, and augurs very disastrously for the usually more stringent reason in the winter time. The best the Government is able to attempt is to offer relief works, which necessarily are in fact an economic failure, staving oif the problem only at great cost, and leaving behind the problem still to face. The financial equilibrium has been so upset that disorganisation has resulted. The contributing factors are many, and the problem is lteyonct the effective handing of the authorities. If, by some magic stroke, the financial balance could be restored, the difficulties would disappear, but there are so many man-made difficulties in the way that good fortune is not likely to drop from the clouds. As a pnliative the Government has a scheme n hand to place some 3000 men at vork, which indicates something of the ponoy cost involved to the country

It is not disclosed yet the nature and location of these works, but it may be assumed that many of these would be dispensible, so that more money is being spent than should—-that is economically. A degree of waste will result which will he a reflection on the administration at a time when it is known economy should he practised in that quarter to help save the finances of the State. 'l’lie question of value for the employment does not appear to enter into the scheme. The essential thing is work, and the pay is to be at relief rates, which means an expensive process in the end for th© value given. Doubtless unemployment insurance is just as valuable personally as fire insurance, but “unemployment insurance’’ is hardly a correct definition. “Thrift,’’ would he the correct term, hut a workless individual has not the opportunity to 1 sgin saving, and so unemployment insurance has another meaning for such eases. The departure from ways of thrift has boon the cause of a good deal of the individual stringency in the present situation. The ambition f 'i- better living conditions and more pleasurable lives, moist have made, and omtimic to make, great iimiads on the principles of thrift. The personal desire to acquire hotter homes and improved conveniences lias naturally been increased with the higher rates of pay. Thrift declined in proportion to the increase of wages, rather than 011verselv to accumulate. And so tbo

position grew more and more out of joint. Rut with the rise in wages there was also the general rise in prices of all descriptions, and the financial difficulties whether of individual or national. became more acute. To attempt redress by unemployment insurance means a slow beginning. Still, the problem is assuming such large proportions that something needs must be done. Th© Government gives no sign of a legitimate land for settlement policy of a national nature. Palliatives alone are resorted to. and oil that account uemployment insurance lias something to commend it. Rut it, will be an expensive process, and 011 the success of its administration will depend the answer to the question whether it will not lie more, disastrous than relief work at meagre rates. Root causes should really he sought for, if it. is intended to propound a policy to combat iinemplif.'ment. Tbo conference to take place next month to study aspects of the arbitration law. must give some consideration to unemployment, because the legislation all’erling arbitration has done much to upset the natural law of supply and demand in regard to labour. Unemployment insurance might be ventilated as something of u. side issue at the C'oiif’erenco. and it would be as well, for the country will have to study the question sooner or later, for 'it. is lxdng

advanced us a means to grapple with flic results of unemployment. But tin' issue will not he readily settled, for there arc those who ,say it will accentuate unemployment and create a class who will look for relief and not ho required to give any return, and'so leave the real problem with us in an accentuated form.