IDLE HANDS AND IDLE LANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19459, 15 October 1926, Page 8

IDLE HANDS AND IDLE LANDS.

Sir,—After reading your sub-leader of last. Wednesday, and the report of the conference between the Unemployed Committee and Cabinet Ministers in the same issue, my sympathies go out to the latter to a very large degree. While it is admitted and deplored that there are any unemployed in the Dominion, 1 think it can safely be said that the number is no greater, or even as great, as in earlier years. Unemployed are always with us from various causes, therefore one is forced to the opinion that the present outcry is really a political move. One must admit that the wealth of the nation comes from the land, and that we have millions of acres going to waste, but could or would these unemployed work it profitably ? I say that not 1 per cent, could do so, therefore all the money borrowed, spent and lent in this direction would be so much waste, and the taxpayer would be more heavily burdened, the cost of foodstuffs and other commodities would rise, and the second position would be worse than the first. The talk about No land policy " is ridiculous. The Government of the day is up against a very different proposition than the Balance or Seddon Governments ever were. These administrations had the pick of the land to chooso from, money Was more plentiful and cheaper, cost of living | cheaper, no war aftermath to contend with, workers more willing to give a fair deal. The argument that immigrants arriving by nearly every Home steamer are helping to swell the ranks of unemployed is open to question. They are absorbed almost as soon as they arrive, but it is doubtful whether they are keeping anyone else out of a }ob. If any here previous to the arrival of these immigrants had been capable or willing to take jobs offering, the new arrival would not have been taken on. If the Government refused to admit more immigrants, then the on ten- from the present agitators would be that the Government was keeping tlio lands tied up for capitalists. I maintain it is the doty of every man who lias the welfare of the Dominion at heart to assist in placing things on a better footing, and pass on suggestions to the Government. of the day, thereby helping. This is worth far more than destructive criticism, which causes discontent and class feeling. Resident Of Pitt* Ybars.