OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 July 1939, Page 6

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM

(To the Editor.)

Sir—On Wednesday next a meeting is to be held to discuss the question of unemployment, and I trust that something practical will be arranged to deal in a satisfactory manner with one of the biggest and most serious problems that New Zealand, like other countries, still has to face. From actual facts, apparent to all, it looks as if we are in for a bad time as far as our overseas markets are concerned. It is quite obvious that this will have a very serious effect on the finances ol this country, and the exchequer may find it impossible to pay the unemployed, without increasing taxation still further, till there is no privately owned wealth left or any other. Probably one of the greatest menaces to our civilisation is labour-sav-ing machinery. It has to a great extent brought about our present civilisation. but in the end may be the very means of helping to destroy it. During the last hundred years billions of pounds have been made by those who use labour-saving machinery in industries and on the farms. Many have piled up fortunes as a direct result and millions of workmen have been thrown out of work or cannot get it. In future those who make profits out of labour-saving machinery are going to be taxed so heavily their financial gains are going to be taken away from them, but still the army of unemployed will increase and they will have to be clothed and fed. Their discontent will increase, and no Government will be able to satisfy their just demands. The sooner we face up to facts the better it will be for us all. Every country will have to deal with the problem very soon; otherwise there will be trouble that no government can deal with without much unnecessary misery and even bloodshed, and why our Government cannot deal with the problem passes my comprehension.

Will you, Sir, kindly allow me space to give you one example of what is happening in.this fair country of ours, and a suggestion as to how unemployment can be dealt with? A few days ago I understand there were 200 unemployed in Hastings, with no hope of work. Mr Webb is reported to have dashed up to Hastings, waved a magic wand, and found work for the whole lot, mostly on unnecessary work at £4 per man per week —£800 per week to come from somewhere. This sort of thing is being done all over the country to the extent of millions a year and it definitely cannot last.

The best idea the Government ever had was higher wages, and the increased circulation of money, but unfortunately this circulation cannot be kept up by artificial methods indefinitely, and if it cannot be kept up by artificial methods some system must be found where the circulation of money is not necessary to those who have not got it, and a system whereby all men can enjoy the amenities of our present civilisation. This does not mean that the present capitalistic system need be smashed, which would be most disastrous to all, but it does mean that another system could work happily alongside for those who have no hope of benefiting by the capitalistic system. Two hundred men at £4 per week are costing the taxpayers £BOO per week. In other words £41,600 per year. Anyone can work out what 50,000 unemployed are costing the country. Enough to make anyone but a lunatic tremble for the future of New Zealand.

At the end of twelve months what have the 200 men left out of the £41,600? Next to nothing but a few clothes, as most of the money will have been spent on rent, food, bare necessities, races and a little drink, even in this abstemious country. The next twelve months they will again be dependent on the Government or in reality on the taxpayer. The taxpayer resents this and those men who have any pride in themselves also resent it. There can be no hope for those who have any initiative, enterprise or energy as long as they have to depend on the Government to find them work. No honest politician can possibly want men to live under such a system and no self-respecting men can for ever wish to be dependent on any government for their very existence.

If it is necessary to expend £41,600 to provide an existence for 200 men, surely some system can be devised whereby valuable assets are left at the end of the twelve months for the further benefit of the men. It is better for the men and for the country that this should be so, and the suggestion is roughly as follows:— Twenty thousand pounds would purchase 1000 acres of good land. About £lO,OOO would provide stock and housing. A community could be formed under practical management. Wool, meat, butter, vegetables, poultry, etc., could be produced, and at least 200 men. and probably more, could live in comfort with hope for the future as well as security. Some could be taught to make clothing on handlooms and many useful crafts could be practised. There would be plenty of products to sell outside the community in exchange for groceries and those commodities that could not be produced. It might be difficult to find enough work for even a forty-hour week, but recreation grounds could be made and there would be plenty of time for sport, amusements and hobbies. Loafers and wasters, of course, would not be wanted. At the end of twelve months valuable assets would be left instead of practically nothing but discontent. There is not space to. elaborate the scheme here, but I am quite sure, unless some solid and practical scheme is soon started to meet the unemployment problem, the future is indeed black for many in New Zealand.

If neither the Government nor the Opposition can produce sufficient brains to cope with unemployment, surely there are some brains in New Zealand that could be used to deal with the matter with the co-operation of the Government. Is there not a single soul in the whole of New Zealand who has some practical ideas that can be tried with far less cost to the country than present methods? The Government is no doubt doing its best to deal with the problem, but beyond encouraging local industries to absorb more of the unemployed they seem to be as devoid of ideas as the Opposition appear to be, and time is going on and money running out and so far the unemployed have no assets for their future benefit. Will those who meet on Wednesday to discuss the matter produce any practical ideas?— Yours, etc., L. B. MAUNSELL. Masterton, July 2.

OPERA HOUSE TEMPERATURE

(To the Editor.) Sir—l was interested in your correspondent’s letter regarding the above matter from a patron’s point of view, and would like to add my disgust from a performer’s aspect. I need hardly say that the members of the orchestra are as “keen as mustard" on their work, and the result was recorded at the recent concert. If patrons needed rugs and wraps to keep them warm, how do/you think we fared in evening dress, sitting on a draughty, cold stage for a couple of hours? To say the experience was disgusting would be praising it, as the result of which I, for one, have got one of the best colds I have ever had in my life! If it is good enough for patrons to stay at home to keep warm, it will be good enough for me in future too, for I refuse absolutely to play under the same conditions. Behind the proscenium it is all open above and no sound arrangements, with a few rags for drop curtains and wide open spaces between, with no side curtains. If the Trust Lands Trust can’t improve on this it shows a very poor spirit in the eiicouragement of local talent, who spend much time and energy in rehearsing—Yours, etc., “A PLAYER." Masterton. July 3.