UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1930, Page 2

UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM

MR MACH IN’S ADDRESS. REMOVAL OF ARTIFICIAL RESTRICTIONS. AUCKLAND, January 29. ; Mr W. Mach in, when addressing members of the Auckland Chamber ot Commerce, said that ns an admirer of the Governor-General, and one who appreciated what he said for its .intrinsic merit, he was delighted to hear him make tactful remarks upon the ultimate solution of unemployment. Mr Machin, who will represent the New Zealand Chandlers of Commerce at the Congress of the federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire, to Jie held in London in May next was in Auckland for the purpose of joining the Niagara by which he sailed for England. The subject of his address was Some aspects of the tariff question,” and in the course of his speech he commented upon the question of unemployment, and the increase of overhead expenses both problems of the utmost importance to the people of this countM. He stated that the successive Governments had not restricted themselves in overhead expenses as , the,,, people had had to do, and for this they were blameworthy. Members of all bodies would applaud the suggestion of the Gover-nor-General of; co-operation in a search for, a solution of the unemployment problem. Often reasonable demands between employers and employees were refused, because one side considered that the concession asked for was the thin edge of the wedge. This reacted upon employment and when the Gov-ernor-General, suggested that relations between workers and employers were too rigid, and that the two groups, should be more accommodating towards one another, he did a service to the Dominion which might lead to some result.

It was impossible to go on and escape the growing evil of unemployment under present conditions, and the solution of the problem lay in the removal of artifial restrictions. The lifting of these rules would very much reduce unemployment. If the whole thing were removed from the arena of those who have to find a solution to get ' votes —trade union officials as well as politicians—we could very well accept the Governor-Gener-al’s' suggestion of working together for a solution.

Mr Machin. then proceeded to deal with the subject of duties on wheat and flour, which had been strongly urged in the South Island. There was a premier claim for such a protective duty, as without it many chains of allied trades would be thrown out of work. ’ Many other industries were receiving much higher protection, and was not the farmer entitled to the same benefits that he assisted to provide for others ?

It would be a good thing if the Government asked more freely of the commercial community for advice in dealing with the problems that faced every day. There was need for a return to tlie old British spirit of compromise and a system of close scrutiny and periodical revision of all protective measures. "There is a feeing of revulsion against protection uppermost in all our minds,” Air'Machin said in conclusion. "AVliile we are dependent upon the free and open markets of the world, we feel our hands should be untied to . a greater extent. Other countries have adopted protection, and we have to reciprocate, but we do it as little as possible.” «