UNEMPLOYMENT IN BRITAIN.

Evening Star, Issue 20054, 20 December 1928, Page 11

UNEMPLOYMENT IN BRITAIN.

to THE EDITOR. Sir,—ln a “ special to the Star ’ ” in to-night’s issue we are informed a Mr A. Rattray has arrived back in Christchurch after a ten months’ tour abroad “by no means satisfied with the conditions• in the Old Country.'’ Says Mr Rattray: “ 1 met miners with their families tramping round the roads and trying to get shakedowns at farmhouses.” We are then told: “As to the causes for this condition, Mr Rattray was unable to venture a definite opinion.” Then about the finish of your “special ” we find Mr Rattray reported as saying: “ The trouble in England is that they are too old fashioned.” Dear mol Dnable one minute to venture an opinion, and venturing one the next. Let me inform Mr Rattray that in England, “ they ” (J presume Mr Rattray refers to employers) are very much in fashion. If Mr Rattray had troubled himself he could. quite easily have discovered the reason why such conditions exist. It is just possible, however, he did, and has no desire to enlighten your readers. Let me do so for their benefit.

Improved machinery and organisation have enormously increased production. The purchasing power of the working class lags far behind the increase in output, and the market for goods is limited and diminishing. There is competition in the limited market for orders, prices are cut to secure a share, reductions in wages follow in order to bring down costs. These costs result in less orders on the whole, less demand for labour, less employment, keener competition, and additional poverty. Poverty for the worker, not for tho employer'. The self-same conditions exist to-day in New Zealand. But the population being smaller, the poverty is not so noticeable. Yon publish nn appeal by the Rev. Bryan King to assist him in his work against poverty, and I have no doubt the Press throughout the dominion will at this time be doing likewise. There is poverty in all nations, and poverty will exist until such times as the wealth of nations is scientifically distributed. Even the success of a trotting club depends on the odds on the “ tote ” being scientifically distributed. Not “ too old fashioned,” Mr Rattray. Too shrewd.—l am, etc., Cacrnjb. December 19.