STEADY WORK AND INCOME

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 15, 17 July 1937, Page 8

STEADY WORK AND INCOME

It would be disastrous for New Zealand if, having just emerged from a slump, Aye Avere to forget all about it, until the signs of another depression appeared. The time to remember is now, Avlien prosperity affords us the opportunity and the means to prevent a recurrence of trouble. Dependent as A\Te are on world trade, Aye cannot guard against all eventualities, but avc can adopt measures 'which Avill mitigate the ill effects of adverse world trade movements. It has already been suggested that, for this purpose, the Government should consider whether a big Public Works programme is timely. This should certainly be done, but the GoA'ernment and all public and trade organisations should also formulate a constructive policy to secure as far as possible steady work, steady trade, and steady income. Admirable suggestions which could Avell be considered as the basis for such a policy were submitted six years ago by Mr. F. W. Rowley, one-time Secretary for Labour, and a brief summary of them Avas published in "The Post" of Thursday. We cannot examine the proposals in detail in a short article, but they apply to national business and life the principles which are folloAved by a prudent and farseeing man in business. For example, the business man, when trade is slack, manufactures for stock, or seizes the opportunity to overhaul his factory and equipment. When trade is good he builds up reserves. His aim is steadiness —a steadily groAving demand1 which he can meet

without costly overtime operation, a steady income for himself, and, for his employees, that which the British ■Avorkman of former days regarded as most desirable, "a steady job." This should be the aim of the nation also, for it is worth as much to the nation as to the individual, but it is obtainable only by organisation and preparation. Mr. Rowley's plan embraces an organisation and a scheme of work. It should be investigated now.; not left until adversity is again on the threshold. '