UNEMPLOYMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20929, 20 July 1931, Page 13

UNEMPLOYMENT.

. Sir, —May I draw public attention to what, in my mind, is an entirely wrong principle. There are great numbers of people who are superannuated from Government positions on amounts varying from £5 to £8 per week, who have taken other work up and are keeping deserving cases out of employment. In days of stress such as wo are now having this seems to me a most unfair procedure. It is a noticeable fact that widows, old age pensioners, etc., are severely penalised if they earn any outside moneys, and under these conditions the superannuation fund should be just as surely dealt with. It may be argued that the superannuated person has paid a certain percentage of his salary to his fund, but one is liable to forget that the New Zealand taxpayer pays through Government channels. Probably it is want of thought in many cases, but it is certainly keeping many intellectual men out of positions who would be only too willing to take anything offering in the way of work. "Live and let live" is a splendid motto and if people who are in fortunate circumstances such as these would apply this motto it would be a better world to live in. As I have no axe to grind, and having several cases of this kind brought to my notice, it is my duty as a citizen to. try and do what one considers right in ventilating this most important matter. Live and Lex Live.