UNEMPLOYMENT SCHEMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20924, 14 July 1931, Page 12

UNEMPLOYMENT SCHEMES.

Sir, —There seem to be only three issues in this much-debated question. (1) Can the Government find employment for all men and women in want of it? (2) Can they supply sustenance for those they can't employ ? (3) Is the taxation sufficient to cover this ? It seems pretty clear it is not humanly possible to provide work for all classes of the community, as only manual work, skilled or unskilled, is available or ever will be. The money paid out as charitable aid would go a long way toward payment of sustentation. It is no use making two bites at a cherry. The Government has all inf6rmation at its disposal. Therefore, there is no excuse for not having enough money for this purpose. May I make a suggestion, viz., put all the unemployed in camps, there are several suitable in different parts of the islands. This will provide sleeping accommodation. Tho camps could be reasonably comfortable. Put them in charge of the Defence Department, backed up by the. Public Works Department and Agricultural Department. The first would see that we were rationed properly and cheaply, the second and third that we were provided with employment. Employment and a monetary allowance would, I admit, involve a lot of deep thought, but I think if anyone can solve it, these practical men could be relied upon to do it. But don't let it last only for a month or two, but until the depression ceases. Surfdale.

Sir, —Our Parliamentary representatives are concentrating on the relief of the unemployed to the best of their ability, but do not appear to be concentrating enough on the main issue, i.e., the abolition of unemployment. Since the depression started they have imposed a levy of 30s a year, propose to legalise a wage tax and increased income tax, all for the direct relief of tho unemployed. The Government advocated the 10 per cent, cut on wages and salaries, which, wo are told, also will ultimately relieve unemployment. Now, all of us must still remember that during the war Europe suffered from a serious food shortage, which was effectively remedied by the only possible way—rationing. Is not this the obvious remedy for tho labour shortage at the present time? Let the Government block tho new tax bill, abolish the unemployment levy and advocate the restoration of the 10 per cent. cut. Then no man would resent the forfeiture of one day's work per week, as this should absorb all the unemployed in the Dominion and pave the way for a progressive future. Progress.

Sir, —What this country needs is a leader, a man who will work for the benefit of every man, woman and child, a real leader of men, just as a sound business is managed by a competent man. This is absolutely the only way to bring prosperity to every home, and can and will be accomplished, and the sooner the better for us all. The mad way we have been importing huge quantities of materials from all countries (95 per cent, of which wo could, and rightly should, make in New Zealand, with our 40,000 unemployed), in all these past years has put us in the deplorable condition we are in to-day. Everyone is trying to find a sound way of employment for all these men and women, when there is one man among us now who, if put at the head of the country, could guarantee to give every man, woman and youth now out of work a permanent position within six months. What a, task, and yet, when a method is followed the greatest task is simple. The fly in the oin'tment is this: Can this man reach his goal, with such a stupid, blind public to deal with? A Great and Honest Work.