LINKS IN THE CHAIN

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 81, 2 October 1929, Page 21

LINKS IN THE CHAIN

LUXURIES AND WORK

."The most surprising and perhaps the most potent factor in providing new employment opportunities appears to be in the field of non-industrial pursuits— one that is generally overlooked by those discussing or estimating employment conditions, namely, our constantly rising standard of living," said Mr. A. Spencer in his presidential address to the Auckland Employers' Association.

"It is a clear indication of our growing, prosperity that the greatest increase' in imported goods occurred in those industries which manufactured goods for recreation purposes, and have brought about radical changes iv the ETanner of living. • In many cases the luxuries of the few in tha past have now become the necessities of the many. The rise in the standard of living has caused luxuries to;be regarded as necessities, and is the cause of industrial-unrest; the workers are induced to buy luxuries they cannot afford. Particularly does this apply to motor-cars, phonographs, etc. Being overloaded by the timepayraont system so much in vot»ne, they cannot, as operators, earn sufficient to pay for them without, inflicting wages beyond an economic level.

"Examples are the automobile, wireless, phonograph} silk goodß, rayon products, confectionery, ice-cream, cigarettes, motion and 'talkie' picture films, any many others, all requiring an increasing number of persons for their distribution. Every motor-ear that comes into the country makes work for insurance clerks, salesmen, lawyers, carriers, engineers, labourers, and shipping companies. It adds to the necessity for traffic officers, and unfortunately it requires gasoline and oil, which must be imported from abroad. The car also has to be housed, and needs mechanical labour for repairs, etc. Tho chain of economic activities is almost endless, but this is only an illustration of the expansion of employment that comes with rising living standards."