Labour and Machines

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 196, 21 August 1935, Page 3

Labour and Machines

(To tho Editor.) Sir, —Mr Archer disputes tho league's contention “that machinery docs not displace labour, but that on the contrary it employs more labour as now industries, etc., come along." These words aro in inverted commas, and thus Mr Archer wishes to rofuto something which tho league is alleged to have written. Tho league, however, did not put forward tlio quoted contention. Indeed, in our last letter wo admitted that a certain amount is displaced, but that labour returns prove that those displaced arc reabsorbed in other occupations. In U.S.A. while 850,000 men -were displaced in manufacturing between 1910 and 1930, other occupations absorbed these 850,000 pins another 500,000. It stands to reason that machinery displaces labour —that does not need emphasis—but history, especially during tho last 25 years, proves that new industries are constantly growing up to absorb those displaced. There may be a time gap. The Labour Gazette in England shows that even during the worst of tho depression a long list of trades of recent growth have increased their employees. Between 1927 and 1932 electrical trades increased by 50,000 workers; motor-cycles and aircraft by 22,000. There have been no loss than 49 trades expauding during those years employing 450,000 men, and this supports the fact that new avenues of employment are constantly opening up and gradually absorbing men put off from other industries by machine power or any other cause. Finally Mr Archer may taka it that this league does not say that machinery docs not displace labour, as he asserts that wo did. But wo sa.y that facts prove tho reabsorption of the displaced labour (with perhaps a gap in time) in newer industries. The main point put forward by tho league originally was that the inereaso of machinery is not the main cause of the unemployment problem.—Wo arc, etc., N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE. AVollington, Aug. 19, 1935.