TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 129, 2 June 1928, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

We do not wish to associate ourselves with Mr. Bartram's picturesque references toi Labour's hopeful inarch to victory, or his denunciation of other parties which may take the political road; but there is one statement which may have a wider application than he gives to it. There is absolutely no sense, ho states, in putting Mr. Coates out of office in order to put in a disgruntled clique of the samo tribe, 'which has been masquerading before tlio electors in different-coloured feathers and war paint. Wo would go much further and say that there is no sense in putting Mr. Coatcs (or anyone else) out of office unless we can decide who is to go in. In times of general dejiression and widespread discontent many electors may forget this. •They may act on the principle of: "Let us get this Government out; then wo can decide what to put in its place." This counsel of opportunism (it has little of principle in it) supports the cooperation of dissimilar parties so that they may overcome a common opponent and then fight over the spoils. Electors will be wise to disregard all such advice. It is nothing but a trap for the foolish. Tho Labour supporter who votes Reform out so as to put Labour in knows what ho is attempting; and the United voter who votes Reform out to put United in has also a purpose; but the elector who puts Reform out without considering whether Labour or United will please him bettor 'merely shows that he is unfit to vote. A wise man approves tho plans and specifications for a now house before demolishing the old. # * # . . • Thorough investigation of unemployment in Now Zealand was recommended by the Industrial Conference. It is certainly necessary before tho applica-. tion of permanent remedial measures is decided on. In Great Britain such investigation has proceeded steadily, and, as a result, much valuablo information has been collected. Tho method employed has been an investigation by •the Ministry of Labour into tho personal circumstances and industrial history of a one per cent, sample of tho claimants to unemployment benefit. It has been proved that tho method can bo relied upon to yield results representative of the whole field from which the sample is taken. In Great Britain tho method entailed personal interviews with 9748 individuals. Here in New I Zealand a more complete investigation could bo made without necessarily resorting to the sample method. The tabulated information obtained covers a wide range—classification , into ago groups, degrees of employability, length of benefit periods, and extent of dependence upon poor law relief. The British results have an important bearing

upon tho British problem, and even here, (hough conditions arc- different, they are worth studying. Jfor example, j it was found that an abnormally large number of tho persons following casual employments were placed in the second class of cmployability. (Tho^first class was: "Persons who 4 normally would have steady employment," and the second: "Those who would obtain a fair amount of employment.") One-half of the casual workers wcro in tho second class as compared with one-fourth of the male claimants as a whole. Another conclusion worthy of note was that i about 00 per cent, of the total number of insured persons had received unemployment benefit at some time; but among the great majority of the claimants unemployment was not chronic. There was a nucleus among males of not more than 10 per cent., and probably loss than 7 per cent., of individuals who had been on benefit for long periods. These wore mainly individuals over i 5 years of ago. Tho nucleus among females, if any, was very small. It is not necessary to emphasise the importance of such information when measures arc being .devised for preventing unemployment by training in trades or by other means, or when permanent benefit or relief proposals are under considera- : tion. Immediate and speedy action is desirable in New Zealand to lessen the present distrc"; but in considering permanent schemes it is not advisable to sacrifice everything to speed. Tho time employed in acquiring more exact iuformation will not bo wasted, since it will assure a better-prepared plan— always provided that the maxim: "Hasten slowly '* is not used as a cloak for inaction. • ■ « • * Councillor Semple's protest against Committee proceedings in Council is not without; justification. We freely acknowledge that the Mayor himself does his best to keep citizens informed of the city's affairs; but Mayoral statements are not a complete and satisfactory substitute for Council discussions. Some classes of business must, of course, be dealt with in Committee if tho Council is not to be placed at a disadvantage in its commercial transactions. That has always been done, and no reasonable person will object to it._ There is a tendency, however, to consider in camera also affairs which are not governed by this condition. No doubt it often suits the convenience of the Council to. decide questions privately. What tho ratepayers or electors do not know of they cannot make a fuss about. Public discussion might load to protests and delay. Yet this is not a consideration which should weigh with tho Council. If an unpopular decision has to be made it should be made openly. After all, it is the business of citizens that is being dealt with; though sometimes one may wonder if Councillors are not under the impres : sion that they are handling their own affairs into which citizens have no right to inquire. '