POINTS FROM LETTERS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 21, 26 January 1931, Page 8

POINTS FROM LETTERS

"One of the Workless" asks: Why not pay 7s a day to some of the out-of-work clerks to assist the present staff at the Labour Bureau and, take the , registra^ tions in an order like this:—A to D, E to H, I to M, N to E, S to V, W to L. This would get over the unnecessary delay in looking for the different cards. At present the workless may have to hang around all day, and then riot get in, as I have done and others also.! AYe go away tired of this registration business. Some get relief before those who have been out a long time. . : ; "In face of all the acrimonious bickering going on in regard to'- moneys at the disposal'of this, that, or the other board, I am moved to make a bold suggestion," writes "Give it a Go." "It is this: Let a coterie of sensible women handle the finances of this or any other country, and 'depression' will be unknown. But they must be women of sound common-sense and business acumen to boot—not emptyheaded, but preferably women who have had to make one shilling do the work of two "in their daily lives. ,JJ;.. is a wellknown, and acknowledged fact that a woman who has only a limited income on which to manage for her household can work wonders with the money at her command, and, moreover, she has one of the most difficult and heart-breaking tasks into, the bargain—and in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred she is triumphantly successful. . . % . Men, -with the best intentions in the world, have their limitations when it comes to handling money, and admitted that some few men have made' millions, or 'built up sound businesses, the fact remains that the majority of men make a most unholy muddle of things financially." "Ratepayer" asks if the Prime Minister will give a lead to his colleagues in refunding the £100 which members of Parliament voted themselves in 1929. He suggests that much dissatisfaction among workers, unemployed and ratepayers, would be saved by a salary cut of 20 : per cent, in all Government Departments down to the £5 a week man. "A Tired Cleaner" complains of the dust raised in Tasman street by the traffic which uses that street to avoid the tram lino. _ The correspondent asks why the y council does not do' something to lessen the trouble. "Follow England" . submits that "the working man in England is far better off than his brother in ; this part of- the; world. Those nightmares, sickness and unemployment, are insured against by wise legislation for Is 4d per week. ; Under the National Health Insurance scheme he is entitled to free medical treatment and attendance and sickness benefit at the rate of 15s per week for 26 weeks, and after that period at 7s 6d as long as,his'disablement lasts. The working man in this country is reduced to poverty and despair when either of those bogies, unemployment or sickness befall him.' The Government should have adopted the British .scheme lock, stock, and barrel. It has passed the experimental stage. . . . What is going to happen to all the' men, women, and children in .■ this country suffering through unemployment if sustenance is not granted? Women are not included i nthe scheme, and if unemployed will receive nothing. I wonder if the Government is alive to the danger of leaving unemployed women destitute?" -

"The Government of a country stands as the father of a family, and it is liis duty to provide for: all of his children" (writes "Nemo.") It is . here that the various governments of the world all fail. They must see to it, first-of all, that none of their children are starving, or in want of the bare necessaries of life. The state of unemployment all over the world clearly shows this neglect on the part of the governing. bodies. A suggestion has been made that the Government should provide free the bare necessaries, of life, to every one of its citizens, irrespective) of their capacity or their ability to work. Coupons could be issued giving the holder the right to purchase bread, milk, meat, fruit, etc., the Government to redeem the coupons from the sellers. Then . wages, salaries, and incomes of everyone could be reduced accordingly to provide the necessary finance. Surely this is the first step that must be taken —to provide food and shelter for all. Then, also, why not reduce hours of labour for all workers so that the present unemployed can- step: in i to prevent the output of industry from being decreased ?