UNEMPLOYMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 19772, 24 January 1928, Page 11

UNEMPLOYMENT.

TO TUE EDITOB. Sir, —Every _ person who happens to be interested in this economic problem of unemployment must feel grateful lor the manner in which the columns of the 1 Evening Star ’ have beau at the disposal of the correspondents to express their views upon the question, to try and find some solution if possible to this industrial curse. What elfect tliis correspondence may have had upon the mind of the community m the past seems impossible lor anyone to gauge. If we are to measure the interest of tlie community in the question by the state of affairs that exists to-day, the interest would appear to be very small indeed. One correspondent asks the question: “How many, approximately, are unemployed in Dunedin to-day?” 1, am not an authority, but feel confident that there must be 300 men anxious and willing who could be found any morning this week begging for work. It was estimated that at the old Rost Office last Monday morning, the I6th, there were, roughly, 100 men seeking work. There was also a large crowd at the place where they are excavating for the building of the new Empire Theatre, with another hundred rambling hither and thither seeking the unobtainable. The next question: “ What provision is being made for these people when winter conies?” The answer can truly he said, “None whatever.”

Another correspondent declares it is unfair for the immigrant to come here and do the work which the New Zea-land-born should do. 1 suppose if he belonged to another class his views would surely change., lie would then se* tho great advantage to some people or an over-stocked Labor market. The curse of unemployment lies far deeper than immigration The poor immigrants, when leaving their country, are trying to I'oe from tho agony, only to find noon their arrival in the colonies that they have not escaped the horrible state of affairs. The humor emanating from the cry “Go into the country ” is shown up in the special article to the 1 Star ’ from Methven, entitled 1 Feeding Swaggers.’ Work is not offering either in town nr country. On December 14, on the hills o £ Waipori, f saw quite a young man. somewhere about twenty-five years of age, who had tramped the boots off his feet looking for work; his feet were cut and bleeding as a result of tramping through the tussock, and he was drenched to the skin with the heavy rains. He had been given a loaf of bread, along with the information that n) single men were to be employed at Waipori. He was also told that he would find, a hut in which he might shelter for the night, seven miles away. And still they cry, “Hike it out to the country ” —a cry of madness. If there' be any work which is essential .should be done, then surely it is the duty, of those desiring the work done to make it known through the proper channel, provided in the Government Labor Bureau. The members of

the Employers’ Association. Chamber of Commerce, or Manufacturers’ Association do not know or desire to know of a solution to the problem. The city eounci'lors are in the same category. Politicians arc indifferent. The system of relief which the Government has provided is a standing disgrace to the people of this dominion. One of the men working close to Dunedin earned the enormous sum of £6 15s fid for 114 hours—roughly, Is 21cl per hour—from which he had to pay .Is fid tram fare, leaving actual wages £6 12s. This man fortunately received Is per day extra for functioning as ganger over eleven men in the gang. This is Government relief with a vengeance, upheld and maintained by the will of the community. Oh, that a scribbling pen could but penetrate into the minds of those who have gained the confidence <" the people, and are responsible for the needless agony men and women are called upon to bear because no one can hire them at a profit. One old adage says: “If yon wish a thing done well do it yourself.” Lot the workers respond to the erring need of their comrades in distress, and refuse to rest content until ways and means are found for these workless men to be provided with the needs'of life.—l am, etc., R. Harrison. January 23.