Unemployment

Press, 17 November 1981, Page 20

Unemployment

Sir,—ln reply to recent correspondents, I see my contribution to society as a “married woman” teacher of far more value than my contribution as pavlova, pikelet or patchwork quilt maker. My maturity and child-rearing experience are valuable assets to teaching and I will continue to teach until retiring age, unless unable to keep working efficiently and effectively. With my husband’s income and mine combined, we pay 60c in the dollar tax. so support several welfare beneficiaries and other Government projects. I was born in 1948 and had to compete for qualifications and jobs with hundreds of others born during the “post war boom,” and taught in several remote or unsavoury schools before settling in Christchurch. I am not “greedily hanging on” to a job as suggested by W. Macintosh (November 13), but contributing, unselfishly, to the needs of society.- — Yours, etc..

D. BENNETT. November 13, 1981

Sir.—l agree with your correspondent, Ross Henderson,' that the present Government is largely responsible for unemployment, by encouraging the large-scale mergers and takeovers. But it was the unions who backed the equal pay and redundancy pay movements, so that we have fewer women in the work force, and if employers hesitate to discharge workers, they are also reluctant to risk taking them on in the first place. I do not think over-sixties should have superannuation if they also have salaries: the country cannot afford it at present. Some married women work from unselfish motives, but with some it is pure greed. I note that the Social Credit leader is the only one to note the plight of the ratepayers and to propose to do something about it. — Yours, etc. S. L. DONALDSON. November 14, 1981.