LABOUR-SAVING APPLIANCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 59, 10 March 1932, Page 21

LABOUR-SAVING APPLIANCES.

The world's paramount trouble now is unemployment. Statistics show there are 20,000,000 white people who come under this heading throughout the world, and it is very doubtful whether this number will ever be materially reduced. There are many contributing factors which bring this about, but I think the main reason is the use of labour-saving- appliances. It has been proved that more work is in hand now than before the war, and fewer people are required to do it. Therefore it is imperative that large sums should be raised to be paid out in exchange for labour or in the form of sustenance allowance. That being so, why not raise it by taxing heavily the man who uses the machine, or, failing that, make the charges through the patent office so prohibitive that those who place their machines on the market contribute a large sum to the unemployment fund, while others would be deterred from taking out patents? Another reason is that a wave of fear and pessimism is embracing the world. Those who have money are afraid to spend it. It might be compared to the necessity for the blood to circulate to keep the body healthy. In the same way, is it necessary to circulate money to keep the business man healthy by buying new clothes, motors, furniture and so on. Half the world lives on the extravagances of the other half. So if we are down to the bread and butter line, and no money is spent in luxuries, half the world must of necessity starve. Economy and the cutting down of expenses has become a positive craze, started by the Government. This means, in the lirst place,there is not so much money circulated by the workers, and, secondly, owing to fear and the state of unrest the world is now in, the money holders refuse to touch their banking account. SURFACE.