The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1929. DEALING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1929. DEALING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT

I Jiii report ol tiif Committee on. Unemployment, brought nown last week, is one of spew nil importance. The subject is a very present one in Aew Zealand, and is making a very large call on the resources of the Government to deal with it. Just at present a scheme is being put in operation to provide employment for some thousands of men, but this work is largely transitory, and in the course of a short p< iod will be exhausted, throwing back the men aga n to the unemployed ranks. There are many causes leading up to the general situation of unemployment, and ready made remedies do not- come to hand. Hence the setting up of the Committee of Investigation to go into root causes, and seek to apply remedies which will be of a more permanent character than the provision (lorced in most instances) ol work aiiecting public services and utilities. By this means there is placed on the exchequer a very heavy strain, and naturally the country cannot be expected to meet the situation for an indefinite period in providing avenues or employment on public works. The report now released covers the first section of the enquiries made, and has a significant value because it endeavours to deal with the general situation in qu.te an impersonal way. The report is the result of a non-politica investigation, conducted by a body ol men representing employers, wageearners, and the Government, and it is noteworthy that the only mem be 1 who does not subscribe to all the findings is a Government official. The Committee has probed deeply, and both its analysis of the industrial situation and its re; ommendations are expressed in terms of moderate helpfulness. The investigators rightly see unmployment as due to a number ol causes —seasonal trades, the replacement of machinery of manual labour new materials tor old, depression in trade, incapacity, and improper training. They see it, indeed, as part o, the development of civilisation, and, like investigators in other countries they realise that new methods of dealing with it must be evolved. Thej suggest, for instance, special reproductive employment for such seasonal workers as harvesters and shearers. A large programme of afforestation work, which could be expanded or contracted according to conditions is recommended. It is also suggested that local body works might be so arranged as to give more employment to seasonal workers, for which purpose the establishment of a central .organising body might be necessary. AJI this, says a|ii Auckland paper, seems to point to more activity on the part of the • community, as opposed to private enterprise, in the handling of unemployment, Yet the expansion of private business must be the main certain remedy for the malady. The Committee also looks to the State to encourage rural employment by providing letter accommodation for larm workers. Even now there are complaints that farm workers cannot be obtained, and there is no doubt tiiaT the poorness of the accommodation 01 many farms is one reason why work" drift to the c.ties It is true that farmers cannot always afford to provide anything better, but that is one reason why the industry of farm labour should be better organised. Tin Committee thinks that the country worker should be helped to make a home, just as the town worker is helped, and it remarks that the pro blent is not to find farm workers farms, but to find them homes. Such assistance would encourage men land then wives) to stay in the country, and it would make farm economics easier by establishing in permanent homes a class of skilled workers who could offer

their services to all farmers within a fairly wide radius.' The Committee’s recommendations on this point are very valuable, and should he considered hv the Government without delay.