UNEMPLOYMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20668, 13 September 1930, Page 14

UNEMPLOYMENT.

Sir, —Permit me to encroach on your space, for the time seems opportune — with tho "dole" in view—to ask thos® armchair critics of tho working class to extend a little leniency and show an unbiassed mind toward those who have fallen on evil times through circumstances over which they have no control. The columns of the press have lately been occupied a great deal in connection with the unemployment problem. ' Various opinions have been expressed in regard to an effort to arrive at a solution o£ this persistent evil. My object in writing is not so much to criticise the system employed in dealing with the labour situation, but rather to deal with some of those thoughtless people who are only too prone to sling mud at those who may in the near future depleto the coffers of the Treasury to tho extent of a few shillings per week in tho shapo of the

"dole." True, there are a few wasters'' in the ranks of tho unemployed (their numbers are comparatively binall) to whom work and an easy conscience "passeth understanding." .lust as a regiment of soldiers will suffer through the delinquencies of one or two, so arc tho genuine out-of-works the victims of caustic criticism, given gratuitously. Some of (ho critics have obviously little conception of the state of affairs existing to-day in t lie various centres. The struggle of the poorer classes is so acute that unless one has first-hand know- ; ledge, i.e., to associate with these peoplo and so understand the conditions under which they exist, then criticism is harmful, in so much as it creates a hostile feeling in those who are anxious to obtain work and earn an iionesf. living. Circumstances will compel these men to w suffer humiliation by accepting charitablo aid. When all is said and done, there are people in all classes who "toil not, neither do they spin." Why hit at tlia man in tho gutter? An inquiry into tho system that keeps liini there would do more to facilitate the solution of tho , unemployment problem than some of tho ;j \_ inane criticism that has been levelled at rj tho under dog. A. CoiiUNO'.voou. 4 Frankton Junction. -V