Unemployment

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 257, 26 July 1930, Page 13

Unemployment

Discussing the unemployment problem T. A. Speed states that the Government uud the employed public in general have the idea that those employed in the city could get work if they went into the country. As one with experience of both town and country life, Mr. Speed states that there is as much chance of getting a job in the country at present as in the city, and urges that what is needed is for the heads of Industries other than farming to show more enterprise to increase their trade and consequently make more work. Money, he concludes, has to be spent to earn more, and all suffer where lack of enterprise, competition, and initiative are lacking in industries.

Sir, —“Farm Hand” in his letter of yesterday, writes of a single man working on a farm at 30/- per week and found, haying £O/10/- per month absolutely “clear money,” and being better off than a worker in town. If he is indeed a genuine farm worker, he should know better than make a statement like this. An outfit of blankets, oilskin, gumboots, towels, etc,, would cost him about £l2 for a start, thus consuming nearly two months’ money. Of course, he would Hot need soap, candles, matches, tobacco, and "The Dominion" (the only reading ■we outback men get). I ahi a cowman on a station. I start work at 5 a.m., without a drink of tea, which is very nice at this time of year and in high country, and continue until 7 a.m., breakfast time. I am allowed Tialf an hour for this meal, and then off to work with the other men until 4 p.m. Bad. to milking, ridifcg sometimes four or five miles, and finish at " p.m., tea time. This for six days per week, no Saturday half-holiday like the townie, and just sufficient time off ou Sunday to do iny washing and clean up generally. Sev-enty-five' hours per wee’ for 30/- ami board and lodging, estimated by the insurance companies at £1 per week, making £2/10/-, Compared with, say, £4 for 48 hours in town, with some comfort in life. Speaking of days off, how many farm and station workers get the holidays that the townspeople get? I know of a returned soldier, an Aninac, who after working uncomplainingly on every holidav, bar none, during the year, was instantly dismissed for demurring about work on Anzac Day. The farmers have only themselves to blame for there being any shortage of farm and station labour. Let them pay a fair wage, and give their men better living conditions, and there will be no shortage.—l am, etc., COWBANGER. July 15