THE MACHINE AGE.

Evening Star, Issue 20252, 13 August 1929, Page 7

THE MACHINE AGE.

TO TUB EDITOR. Sir, —We have read and heard a lot about modern labour-saving machinery and unemployment since the report of the retiring president (Mr Rosevear) addressed the Chamber of Commerce, and so far no constructive remedy has been offered your readers, by correspondents or economists, although Mr P. Neilson answered “the inevitable result of the want of buoyancy in trade ” by dealing very effectively with tradp generally. If modern machinery was put to its proper use, that of labour saving, man need not fear becoming the slave of the machine, as is likely to happen under the present ownership and control, for the present hours of labour could he divided by two, and still the needs of humanity served to the utmost want, and four hours out of twenty-four tied to a. machine would never create a human automaton. In deploring the lack of white-collar jobs for the young generation, the president was illogical, because he had already pointed out how the farm, motor, and electrical implements had done away with the ploughman, farm labourers, hlacksmitns, wheelwrights, saddlers, threshing-mill hands, chaffcutters, wagon and coach builders, and stablemen, so why keep in our mind’s eye the man in blue shirt and corduroys when referring to work other than office? As a matter of fact, modern machinery has created more white-collar jobs than ever, and so it should, as its proper use is to do away with drudgery, not for a few, but for all. Live and let live is a good maxim, hut when we see the large establishments encroaching on lines that do not come under their heading at ail, with the result of throwing many out of work, it is time our local government specified what shall bo sold under a certain heading. This is a debatable question amongst economists. I know, but until we have a more humane method of production and distribution such inroads into the living of smaller shopkeepers and their staffs should bo cut out. To look back to the good old days and count the blessings of humanity will never get us anywhere or solve our present problems. Rather, let us count the blessings this generation has—more freedom, a higher standard of living, and education for the greater number—and use our intelligence to profit by the wonderful resources this age has produced to lighten man’s burden, and not try to progress by taking in each other’s washing.—lam. etc.. Duess.makeh. August ,13.