UNEMPLOYMENT.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19985, 21 July 1930, Page 13

UNEMPLOYMENT.

TO THB WSITOB OF THB KBBSS Sir*—For at least five years we have had unemployment in New Zealand, till to-day we are faced with a stupendous problem. Before and during the war unskilled labour was satisfied with Is per hour. A teamster would get 30s a week and found, and would work from very early in the morning till quite late at night. To-day this class of man works in town on unemployed work, getting 14s' per' day for eight hours unBweated.work.. .Now,,to my mind, these unemployed levies and subsidies are only accumulating more unemployed. We all feel sympathetic towards them; but they must realise their capabilities in life. These men have previously been employed as carpenters, salesmen, engineers, clerks, etc., and have gradually been sifted out, the eapable only retaining their respective positions. Now, is it not only fair that these men should realise their level and help their country by helping themselves? I am quite sure the majority of farmers and land-owners would be glad to employ them, at farming the land, cutting fences, rebuilding fences, and such work as is badly needed in our farming areas. I know what will be said! —They cannot even get that work. l»o, of course not, at 14s per day for eight, hours' work. But they .could, and would get such work at .reasonable figures. The Government and the people must realise that to economise is not to set aside a sum of money each year to do' unnecessary work that could quite well stand aside till more proJressive periods. The whole thing boils down to this. New Zealand is not farmed and , worked as it-should be, whv? The labour available will - not L content to do it. They want high wages and short hours, which, will not combine to give success. May I ask thlf question! Instead of imposing a tax of 30s a year, why does not the Government ask th* bodies to allow the unused reserves, or even parn?ed parks, to be plough-'' up and nut int'o'Rome form of crop? Tlrs Would absorb' hardship case* to a profitable *nd useful; purpose The .men would receive : only what their labours Seduced. Surely'they are Willing to Uf to prove that they can be success-

ful at something. At the same time, it would serve to allow the men to get physically fit for similar work in future. ' Products are our object. To relieve unemployment as is being done, must end ■in nothing but disaster.—Yours, etc., ONWARD N.Z. July 18th, 1930.