THE WORKLESS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 24, 27 July 1929, Page 29

THE WORKLESS

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—May I have a word io say ou li v eternal question of unemployment > lam a single man and have ability to try most jobs, faevcral big firms will have heard my name by now, as I have tried for work at no less than eight manufacturers and three shipping companies. So far, no good Now I know of several men in my position, who have spent what little savings they may have had in looking for work. We hear, and read of, the cry Go to the country." All very well for tnose who have not tried it, but havin<* tried it myself, 1 think I can speak on the matter. First is a question of finding a iarmer who wants labour; then the ques- : tion of getting there, and how many city people can hold down a farmer's job, as ' there is no eight or seven-hour day. It is usually nearer 14 or 10 hours. Then, of course, the farmers canuot afford to pay the same rate of wages as one gets in the city. So this is mostly the cause for the so-called drift to the city. The average farmer pays a wage of from £1 to £2 per week; average, say, £1 10s and keep. This amounts to about £3 net. In the cities I may confidently say no man works ' for so low a wage, yet puts in only half the number of hours. Another side of this ' question is that nine out of ten farmers put off their men when the season is fin- ' ished; hence a little more drift! We then proceed to look for work in the city, until : our resources are used up, then we cannot go back to the country even if we wished. What are we to do? What can be done? . There aro dozens of men in my position to-day. Perhaps some of our learned men can tell me. We cannot be a credit to New Zealand, yet we cannot help it. This , is not merely the "great I am" stunt, as , I can give tho names of several men who ] are in the same position. This is just a personal experience of New Zealand during the last four years. I cannot rail at i the immigration laws, as I am one of ' those unfortunate individuals myself, and ! I might also state,! to my sorrow. If any- , one can suggest how we may help ourselves, we should be the happiest people | in tho Dominion.—l am, etc., I LES. CHAPMAN. 25th July. - "Being a married man, relying on the weekly wage to provide a home, I do honestly plead with those influential citizens to try and put a few days' work in the way of a willing worker" (writes another correspondent). "Soon there will be three for me to battle for. How? I've searched the city with the reward of a sick wife, both cupboard and fire grate empty. 'Mr. Rent' is our unwelcome visitor to-day; my weapons with which 1 used to repulse his attack are now worn and obsolete. For my self-preservation I care not, and sympathy is no meal; all I ask is an opportunity to earn honestly enough to provide a meal and roof for my wife." • "Concerned"- writes:—"What is the policy of tho city authorities regarding relief work? I have been engaged at 12s per day, and, being well up in years, have been content to work for that sum. Now I understand men are to receive lis, and notice- has been given to some of the twelve-ahilling-per-day workers to quit. Is it bocause we are unable to give value ■ for the fourteen shillings? I admit that I could not compete with the fourteenshillings class, and I am willing to work for less. Moreover, it is imperative I should earn some money."