A TRADER'S PROTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 141, 17 June 1935, Page 6

A TRADER'S PROTEST.

GIFTS TO UNEMPLOYED,

(To the Editor.)

The practice which is now being followed by the Unemployment Board of supplying boots and blankets free to relief workers is haviii"- a serious effect upon traders, who deal in those lines, and will eventually tend to make the position worse. In these days when many business people are only just hanging on and trying to meet their obligations, this loss of trade affects them very seriously, and may be the last straw that will compel them to 'close up and throw their employees and themselves into the ranks of the unemployed. An even worse practice is being followed in at least one suburb. Goods are being purchased from the factory and are being supplied at exactly half factory cost. Where is this goino- to end and what will be the ultimate resuft? The warehouses in Auckland employ hundreds of hands. They are being seriously affected, likewise the small draper and his assistants. I agree that the relief worker should receive blankets, boots and clothing, and that he should receive these at the lowest possible cost, but I also believe that the policy which has been adopted -is very harmful. The funds of the Unemployment Board are in quite a healthy condition. They are contributed by every section of the community, the retailer as well as the worker. This being so, why does the board not provide work for, say, one day extra per week for a stated period to allow the relief worker to purchase these necessities when and where he chooses? The boots, blankets and clothing could be standardised and the price fixed. The trader could be allowed to charge, say, a bare 10 per cent, ov even less, to enable him to handle these special lines. The majority of our unemployed ask for the right to work, not for charity. They ask for sufficient to allow them to purchase their requirements when and where they choose, and this is denied them. There are many avenues where men could be employed with benefit to themselves and the community, but the Unemployment Board appears to be unable to cope with the position. TRADER.