"OUT OF THE RUT"

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 71, 21 September 1933, Page 6

"OUT OF THE RUT"

7 (To the Editor.) Sir,—A contributed article, by "Observer" in yesterday's "Post" suggesting a new method of dealing with the problem of unemployment is at least worthy of comment by those experienced in handling this problem, which, as the article emphasises, is causing grave deterioration in vitality among the large proportion ot the population so affected. •. ;| The solution proposed by Observer contains a suggested conference between Cabinet, municipal, and other employing bodies, which would evolve a scheme ot Government 'and municipal employment, the term "relief worker" to be abolished in favour of "State employees,,- wages to be. based'on three to five days weekly at 10s per day. To. provide . the increased expenditure ;. involved in.' this scheme (£500,000 to £1,000,000) "Observer ' proposes to make a:'further raid on employed workers' wages. In support.ot this injustice it is stated that "many business men view the present, standard of Wages aa still too high"—a "view" which ye are assured is nqt shared by the retailers ot New Zealand, who' 'know that wagereducing is another name for stagnation ot trade,, disappearance of profit, inability to meet: ever-recurring and increasing charges, so prevalent at present. . Why should; only employing bodies confer with Cabinet in seeking a method of increasing the standard of living among the unfortunate victims of the depression? Have we had convincing proof of , their ability to deal with the problem j efficiently? Is not the present plight of approximately 70,000 hapless families, due to the : false economy of leaders of finance,, industry, and ■ 'Government?— an "economy" which treats the human unit of industry as an item on the "expenditure" side of the ledger only, and which, would ' scorn the ■ suggestion that "profit" should come after the welfare of producers and not, as at present, before. If further taxation is justifiable.-.would it not be more .equitable to confine the proposed additional taxation to the wealthy section? The conditions suggested by

"Observer" which would apply to the "State employees" created by the scheme are truly socialistic in so far. as labour would bo compulsory. If men didn't w.ork as well as the better-paid permanent hands, and didn't otherwise come up to a high standard of efficiency, they would be dismissed and have a "sustenance" (?) allowance, signifying, of course, that such men and their families would be placed on famine rations. "Has the framer of this drastic "efficiency, rule" any conception of the power he would thus place in the hands of minor and other State and municipal officials? Does "Observer" realise that he is proposing to create a bureaucracy w;hich would possess a life-and-death power over the new "State employees"? This so-called "sustenance allowance" has been created by the present administration as a method of applying compulsion upon the unemployed, and the only visible effect of it has, been to impose needless; heartbreaking misery; and it is' significant that although the. writer evinces a keen desire to abolish the term "relief worker," he is equally keen to retain that which scourges the relief worker. Instead of experimenting w;ith schemes in which the unemployed have no voice in the making, why not show some confidence in the men themselves and invite their co-operation? The' vast majority of them are loyal citizens, keen to better their condition by industrious effort, and their intelligence and grasp of essentials has been sharpened by want and privation. One final aspect, untouched by "Observer," is ..rent for dwellings. How much of the' increased earnings would the landlord be entitled to receive? And we' are vitally interested in the proposal toprovide the relief workers with ■ "their own small, free plots." 'The implied possibility of ownership is intriguing to we who are fast becoming resigned to our present proletariauism.—We are, etc. : ~.•! '■••■; ' SECRETARIAT, * j National Uuiou of Unemployed. ;