UNEMPLOYMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20722, 15 November 1930, Page 14

UNEMPLOYMENT.

Sir, —I see the harbour bridge project has been once again dragged out by the ears. Whether or not the construction of this bridge would be of any great benefit to Aucklanders I do not pretend to know. It has been suggested as recently as last Sunday at the Civic Theatre that such a work being commenced would help the unemployed situation considerably. I cannot agree with this view. It is true that it would absorb some of the unemployed, probably about 100= at the most. But -what- is that compared with thousands who are out of work. I heartily agree with relief works "for the unemployed. It is our duty to give the unemployed work, but to sink thousands of pounds into masses of concrete and steel is not, in my opinion, helping very much to solve the unemployment problem. These bridges and other works' of a like nature usually have to be given to British firms, so that 75 per cent, of the money leaves the country. Take the Sydney Bridge for instance. Almost every man employed is a skilled man and most of them had to be brought from England. I expect the same sort of thing would bappen in constructing a bridge here. Most of the men out of work are unskilled men and it is work which these men can undertake that should be started. No money is ever wasted by opening up the country. New road works could be started. The East Coast Road certainly should be widened to 24ft. At present motorists consider that to make the joftrney without mishap is a great achievement. Anyway, the construction of bridges, post office buildings, etc., is not of much use in solving the unemployment situation. Contractors have their own men and would not take many more men, anyway. Londoner.