Unemployment

Press, 9 February 1983, Page 22

Unemployment

Sir,—Perhaps Mr B. Lacey of the Unemployed Workers’ Union (February. 4) should spend more time looking for proper employment than in lashing out at people making constructive comments and showing genuine concern about unemployment. Unfortunately, it appears that not only Mr Lacey but others do not know how ’well off the unemployed are. For six vears I have seen

overseas systems of managing the unemployed and if these people had to put up with the Australian system you would see them fleeing back to New Zealand with their mouths shut. New Zealanders (unemployed) are still very ignorant of how to make do on a lower income. Mr Lacey has given the impression that the unemployed have the right to live a life of luxury at the expense of the taxpayer. May I remind him and his followers that social welfare is there to provide basic needs and to assist in finding enployment, not to give a life of luxury. If you cannot live on the present amount then it is you, Mr Lacey, and your friends that are doing something wrong. Maybe the answer is to find a job, or at least try. It is (to be honest) beyond my understanding why there is such a union. — Yours, etc., WARREN LADBROOKSLOAN. February 7. 1983.