FIND THE REASON

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 291, 29 February 1928, Page 9

FIND THE REASON

MINISTER’S VIEW ON UNEMPLOYMENT MR. HAWKEN AT TAURANGA (From Our Own Correspondent) TAURANGA, To-day. In a country like New Zealand there should be no unemployment, and it is very essential that the reason why secondary industries are not able to absorb workers should be ascertained, said the Hon. O. J. Hawken, Minister of Agriculture, in an address here this evening. There was a fairly large audience and tlie speech was generally on the lines of that delivered at Papatqetoe on Monday. “As there are many who must be in a position to state the course of events so far as the output of labour is concerned, if the output has decreased,” said Mr. Hawken, “then it is perfectly evident to me that wages cannot increase. In America many industries # pay their men by results and a most extraordinary rise in wages followed the adoption of the system. In many of tlie trades in America double the wages are paid compared with those in New Zealand, and they are still able to compete in the world’s markets, showing that their output must be much greater than it is here.” Mr. Hawken was hopeful that the inquiry into the working of the Arbitration Act would find the reason for the fall in employment. The Minister explained the system of rural credits, and emphasised the good work done b3 r the Government in dealing with the housing problem, also in helping the farmers in herd-testing, the export of fruit and in other directions. A hearty vote of thanks was unanimously accorded the Minister.