UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20556, 6 May 1930, Page 14

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

Sir, —It is not upon "the niceties of discussion" that Mr. Mcßrine should ponder, but upon tho nastinesses, I deny absolutely having misquoted Mr. Mcßrine in word or spirit, and 'repeat my challenge to him to give a singlo instance. 1 resent keenly being dragged into these personalities. But enough of this. I claim that it is not a proper function of Government itself to employ labour on a huge scale, but so to regulate public policy and the relations between its subjects that all may have, as nearly as is humanly possible, equal opportunity of employment and advancement. To meet the present situation alms-giving is necessary, but it should be restricted within as small limits ■ as possible and treated as strictly temporary—not rendered permanent by any pretences such as "insurance." To bring the matter right home to Mr. Mcßrine and other advocates of unemployment insurance, I would offer tho following illustration. I fully believe that if he were to see . a fellow man lying by tho way wounded or sick ho would, of his loving kindness succour that man a.nd restore him in his home —which would lie most laudable. And it is possible that seeing n strong adult person idle he would, moved by kindly sentiment and softness of heart, in like manner take hi:ii to his home and share his substance with .him. But, after & while, I suggest, that Mr. Mcßrine would say to hi:? guest, "What about getting a bit of work, brother?" To which the ready answer would come, "You find me work. I'll do it; yes. I'll do it, all rightAfter a while, I further suggest the great probability of our friend coining home tired after a hard day's work and greeting tho consumer of half his substance something as follows: "Get to RockhamptOfl out of this, you lazy lubber." Indeed, he might be oxcused if lie addressed his guest-dopondnnt in tho pure Australian tongue. But the latter,.having pcradventuro waxed fat and big and strong, might . adopt tho historic attitude of Marshall McMahon, saying. "J'v suis et jy resto —here lam and hero I stay. Then friend Mcßrino is faced with the option of (fj. heaving his parasite out (if ho is Able) and incurring all the odium of so doing and tho certainty of his motives and acI ions being grossly misrepresented by his political enemies, as well as by* the ejected, or (2) putting v,p with the evil and shar* • ing his hard earned bread with his paia* site. Now, Mr. Mcßrine, searching y oU . r heart, would you personally be prepare to face such a situation ? And, if -.POj why should the taxpayer in general forced into facing it? In England, as a tho world knows, the second alternntiv has been adopted (o tho injury b •v ; material and moral of the nat.ion.__ K. K.UU.E VAUE. ' , ,