THE PROBLEM OF UNEMPLOYMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20976, 12 September 1931, Page 12

THE PROBLEM OF UNEMPLOYMENT

Sir,—"Zoroaster," who wrote in your j issue of September 5, missed the main point, which, in dealing with the subject i in all its phases, is that we are living in an age of labour-eliminating devices, of ; substitutes, of oetrol, of electric power development, and in this wondrous age of man's triumph over the elements, there must be more production in a given time, hence the necessity for reducing the hours of labour, if the surplus labour of the world is ever to be absorbed. In the United States, where rapid and wholesale production has enabled the captains of industry to accumulate huge fortunes, the unemployment situation has got beyond control. Here in New Zealand mill.ons of pounds have been sent overseas for steam shovels, motors, petrol, films, etc., 90 per cent, of which are extraneous to the well being of this Dominion, as far as she is yet developed. Much of this money could have been circulated in the country improving our resources aga:nst a rainy dav, and how has it been built up? Simply by the "dishonest labour, which has been morally ruined by its innings for the last 25 years." It seems that not only labour " has participated in the general ruin, for labour in New Zealand has the least of this world's goods. Cer tainly selfishness and dishonesty play a large" part in our industrial troubles today, especially in the new generation now manifesting itself in our social and industrial life. These young people have emerged from a chrysals stage of pampering. over-amusement, lack of parental control, on an educational system that seems to have evolved the slogan "only horses and fools work." One has no need to go far to see it. "Zoronster" has hit the mark when he says the yeomanry spirit is all but gone but do not blame the poor rel'ef worker if he. falls into I'ne with the rest. Other contributing causes to our troubles are the h : re-purehase curse, the craze for sport, and the ineptitude of pol ; ticians to read the signs and prepare for emergencies to come. As for relief work ers. the slack'ng referred to is onlv their wav of protesting against the cruel and unfair I'mitations imposed upon th°ir working time "Nine bob" would be right enough if onlv full time could be prov'ded. and at something calculated to be rf economic benefit. That is the concern of our rulers. We put them there on the ill-founded assumption that thev were the right tneri in their places. If, however. "Zoroaster" wishes the satisfaction of seeing work done for relief pnv, I would recommend him to inspect the Olive Road job when they resume, at Mount Eden, where the work is mainly blasting, spawling and uphill trucking. It is a pity that up to the present the men have no option but to do It. Relief Worker.