THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20302, 9 July 1929, Page 14

THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM.

Sir, —When one reads about the cure for unemployment, it is interesting to note the experience of the little principality of Liechtenstein with its population of about 12,000 people, who are exclusively engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits. During the last Budget year its grant for unemployment amounted to a sum equal in our currency to the largo sum of £3. New Zealand is essentially, although, of course not exclusively, an agricultural and pastoral country, and the wonder is that past Governments have not therefore directed their attention more to assisting people of little or no capital to become producers of latent wealth, and to " making country life more attractive. Much more could have been done by the Education Department by affording the young the opportunity of studying the scientific and practical sides of farming John A. Dealt;.

Sir, —To my mind one of tho primary causes of unemployment is tho vast improvement —this last 10 to 15 years—in modern machinery installed in up-to-dato factories. These machines are producing to-day under one-man supervision what ten years hack would take six men, and where I have worked recently I can cite a case of one machine doing under one man as much as ten men a decade ago. My main object in writing is to make a suggestion, which I submit, if given effect to woula considerably miniinise unemployment. I say the leaders of all the religious denominations in New Zealand have neglected, and are still neglecting, to assist in the material welfare of tho workers as a whole. They should realise that more than spiritual food, plus visiting and succouring the poor, is necessary. Granting the work they have done in the past is great and noble, how much greater and noble would it be if they, as a whole, would devote their intellectual abilities in joining forces with those who are trying to eliminate il possible this dreadful canker of unemployment. Christ, in addressing the 5000 people on the Mount of Olives, first fed (hem by tho miracle of the loaves and fishes. Apart from iho clergy, I humbly submit a few words also to the leaders of the unionist movement. I say advisedly, and as an active executive officer of one of tho largest unions in this city, that they—our leaders —are not doing all that is possible to alleviate the situation. Each union leader is virtually devoting all his time to the betterment of tho union to which he is associated, and thereby losing sight of the principal motto of unionism in the past, viz., "united we stand, divided we fall." Consequently, individual unions have advanced slowly, but collective unionism has undoubtedly retrogressed. Collectivo action can, if properly organised, bring such pressure to bear on Parliament that those holding the reins of Government would have to give effect to their requisitions—especially if it was. made ft national and not a local request. I therefore invito all the cleigymen in Auckland and adjoining districts, irrespective of sect, to meet in conference with tho leaders of unionism in Auckland and formulate a plan of political and social action. No man worthy of the name desires tho continuation of a system which is about on a par with the British dole, with its deteriorating spiritual and physical effects on our race now and to follow. George Rogers. 1, Edcnvalo Road, Mount Eden.