UNEMPLOYMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 24 March 1930, Page 2

UNEMPLOYMENT

(To the Editor)

Sir.—To the man on the land, living quietly in the contentment of his appointed task, spending his days "far from the madding crowd" in an everchanging atmosphere of rural delight, there is something pathetic in watching the world —through the medium of the Press—in' a continual fever of unrest, and seeing the surging multitudes of workers both small and great being willingly carried on and on until finally v they are drawn into that vortex of pleasure with all its attendant boredom and economic waste and from which, up to the present, there is apparently no escape. Owing to these highly-paid workers freely handing over to the plea-sure-vendor such a large proportion of their wages, slowly but surely there comes, as a result, one of two unenviable conditions: to the few —wealth; to the many—poverty, and between these two extremes there arises a problem which grows and becomes more difficult of solution with the passing years—"Lab-our-created" unemployment. This problem of unemployment is now world-wide and has assumed gigantic proportions. Its causes, apart from the one already mentioned, are many and varied. The best brains of all countries are engaged in its solution yet seem to make little headway. In view of all this it should have been quite clear to any careful reader, that the humble contribution sent in by the writer was not offered as a definite solution of the problem but was, as plainly stated, only a few thoughts' on a minor phase of the subject from a standpoint not usually taken by other correspondents. Neither was this crude pen-and-ink drawing of conclusions ever meant to be hung side by side with those masterpieces sometimes exhibited by literary artists such as members of the "New Zealand Welfare League." Surely then the scathing remarks which my letter has called forth from that powerful champion of the Labour cause, "Anti-Humbug," prove that either intentionally or unintentionally he misunderstood. Everywhere to-day Labour is crying out for higher pay and shorter hours in addition to that very respectable form of charity— State aid—and continually whining because the country's wealth is mainly controlled by t the few. They forget, however, that they themselves — the masses—contribute, in ready Ccfth not labour, more than anyone else to build up the moneyed man's fortune, for without their aid many of these capitalists would cease to exist. Then, strange though it may appear, capitalist—manufacturing and unemployment—creating Labour wants back employment—creating capital's money which just previously they have willingly handed over into his "safe"-keeping. Why? Looking back over the centuries we see striking evidence in support of the statement that Capital has always proved itself to be Labour's best friend, a fact which neither "Anti-Humbug" nor Uncle Humbug, Cousin Humbug nor any other anti-Labour loving Humbug can disprove. In return for this friendship—opportunities for work—should not Labour strive after higher ideals of service instead of everlasting demanding higher pay, and stooping to such contemptible methods of coercion as "go-slow" policies and so-called "sympathy". strikes ?

And now in conclusion: Remembering that "the love of money is the root of all evil" would it not be better for Labour to refrain from coveting the Capitalist's money, goods, or anything that is the Capitalist's, and taking "Ah Dworker s" compatriot, bur respected friend from the "Flowery Land, as a shining example in patience, industry and thrift, seek to become lovers of work more than lovers of pleasure. Truly the Chinaman—Labour's model—earning every penny he receives, fulfils Mr Ramsay McDonald's ideal of a true workman for it is quite plain that he "loves his work as he loves his wife." I am etc., NOR'-WESTER. Umukuri, 22nd March.