SOUNDNESS DOUBTED

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 184, 2 May 1933, Page 2

SOUNDNESS DOUBTED

Theories of Technocracy LABOUR AND MACHINERY (Contributed by the New Zealand • Welfare League.) We recently quoted the views of certain leading British industrialists who proved that in spite of increased machinery there are actually more workers employed, thus showing the need for careful investigation into the facts alleged to prove, the soundness of the technocrats’ theories. Dr. Virgil Jordan, of U.S.A., who -« internationally recognised as an authority on industrial and business affairs has now published the facts as relating to America; these fully confirm the conclusions of British leaders, who said that the use of machinery may put certain workers out of employment in some industries, but statistics show that they are soon absorbed in other avenues of production which are stimulated. Dr. Jordan, like the British critics, presents figures from official which show that in 1910 there were S 3 out of every 1000 of the population employed in manufacturing, in 1920 there were 102, and in 1930 it came down to 95. The drop between 1920 and 1930 gives very interesting results when examined. The figures prove that in manufacturing industry—there were some 850.000 who might have been employed in those industries but were as a matter of fact not absorbed, but the 1930 census definitely proves that, in proportion to the population and in spite of the depression; occupations outside the manufacturing industries not only absorbed these 550.000 displaced workers, but actually took 500,000 besides. In the face of the British and U.S.A, figures the technocrats’ arguments require very careful examination, and do not. seem to be supported by facts. Professor Ogden, of the Chicago University, says the technocrats’ conclusions are too hasty, and he deprecates the issue of wild statements holding out extravagant hopes to humanity suffering from the distress of the present, crisis. He says in times like these it is easy to sell the public any fancy solution.